Animal welfare and sustainable development: key linkages, collective responsibilities and policy opportunities

Speakers

• Moderator: Dr. Jeff Sebo, Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy and Law, and Director of the Animal Studies M.A. Program, New York University
• UNEA resolution: Dr. Zerubabel Getachew, Ethiopia’s former deputy permanent representative to the UN in Nairobi and chair of The Africa Group
• Sustainable development policy and animal welfare: Cleo Verkuijl, Research Fellow, SEI
• One health and the science of animal welfare: Dr. Maria José Hötzel, Professor, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
• Just transitions for more sustainable, healthier and compassionate societies: Lasse Bruun, CEO, 50by40

Background

In a landmark resolution adopted at the 2022 UN Environment Assembly, the world’s governments first recognized the important interlinkages between animal welfare, the environment, and sustainable development.

Animal welfare interacts with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in important ways. As increasingly recognized through the One Health approach, practices that undermine animal welfare often negatively affect human health and the environment, while policies that promote animal welfare can likewise help us achieve better sustainable development outcomes. Environmental problems affect humans and non-humans alike and our responses to these problems will as well. As we build more resilient and sustainable infrastructure and reduce environmental risks through policy, we can improve conditions for humans and non-humans at the same time.

Ahead of the Stockholm+50 Conference commemorating 50 years of global environmental governance, this interactive panel discussion explored the relevance of animal welfare for environmental protection and One Health and examined promising policy interventions for integrating animal welfare into sustainable development governance.

This event was hosted by SEI and New York University Animal Studies.