New Report exposes concerning climate impacts of cruel, factory-farmed meat

NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New research, titled, Climate Change and Cruelty commissioned by global animal welfare non-profit organization, World Animal Protection has revealed the true impact of factory farming on our planet, finding that ongoing expansion of factory farming will put achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement goals and a climate-safe future out of reach.

Every year, more than 80 billion land animals are farmed globally, most on cruel factory farms. This research analyzed the carbon footprint of factory farming chickens and pigs in four of the world's biggest factory-farming hot spots (Brazil, China, The Netherlands, and the US), finding that the emissions from producing current numbers of chickens are equivalent to keeping 29 million cars on the road for a year and emissions from producing pigs are equal to 74 million cars.

The pig and chicken industries are often overlooked as contributors to climate change, with significant focus on methane emissions from raising cows. These findings offer new insight into the true footprint of factory-farming. Growing, processing, and transporting the crops used for feed in factory farms accounts for about 60% and 40% of the overall emissions for chickens and pigs respectively

The study is the first of its kind to measure how collectively eating less factory-farmed chicken and pork could help safeguard our climate. In the US, a 50% reduction in consumption of chicken and pork by 2040 would result in the equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road for a year.  

"Urgent action by the US government and companies to address climate change is imperative, and these new findings shed light on a sector that is all too commonly ignored in climate action plans; the factory farming of pigs and chickens," says Annette Manusevich, Farming Campaign Manager with World Animal Protection US. "The results are clear—eating less chicken and pork from factory farms has significant benefit, not just for protecting animals from cruelty, but for protecting our planet's future as well."

World Animal Protection is calling on the US government to stop approving new factory farms by imposing a moratorium for a 10-year period in order to curb the damages they are inflicting. A bill currently being considered in Congress, the Farm Systems Reform Act (FSRA), would require that the largest factory farms be phased out by 2040.

Individuals can take action for animals, the climate, and their health by reducing their meat consumption now. World Animal Protection's Meating Halfway journey provides tools and tips, such as recipes and shopping lists, to make swapping animal products for plant-based options accessible and delicious.

World Animal Protection
World Animal Protection is the global voice for animal welfare, with more than 70 years' experience campaigning for a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering.We have offices in 12 countries and work across 47 countries. We collaborate with local communities, the private sector, civil society and governments to change animals' lives for the better. 

Our goal is to change the way the world works to end animal cruelty and suffering for both wild and farmed animals. Through our global food system strategy, we will end factory farming and create a humane and sustainable food system, that puts animals first. By transforming the broken systems that fuel exploitation and commodification, we will give wild animals the right to a wildlife. Our work to protect animals will play a vital role in solving the climate emergency, the public health crisis and the devastation of natural habitats. 

For more information on World Animal Protection, visit: http://www.worldanimalprotection.us/

SOURCE World Animal Protection