African countries have been urged to make Animal Welfare part of the discussion during the Africa Climate Summit to be held in Nairobi starting September 4.
African governments have been called to acknowledge the environmental impacts of unsustainable livestock production systems and push for the adoption of sustainable systems.
Speaking during the pre-climate week media briefing on Thursday, scientists from World Animal Protection said factory farming is always overlooked as a climate culprit within the agriculture sector.
Director for Africa Tennyson Williams said, “There is a nexus between animal agriculture and climate change and this discussion should not be overlooked during climate discussions."
"As Africa will be convening in Nairobi to seek solutions to the climate crisis, we ask them to endorse sustainable livestock farming practices. There's a need to embrace African traditional food systems and prioritise local communities' needs as part of sustainable practices that can guarantee a safer future,” he said.
Williams said factory farming rips down forests to plant crops for animal feeds, releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
Africa Union Director Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) Huyian Ahmend Salih said agriculture intensification and dilapidating livestock production are drivers of biodiversity loss and the emergence of new diseases.
She called for strong interlinkage between animal welfare, the environment and socio-economic development.
Kenya shall be co-hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) with the Africa Union Commission in Nairobi from September 4th to 6th.
The Summit will provide a platform to deliberate on the nexus of climate change, Africa’s development reality and the need to push for increased investment in climate action globally and specifically in Africa.
The event brought together stakeholders from the government, civil societies and private sectors
Also present were academia critical to agriculture, animal welfare, environmental, and food industries.
