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The global food system is unsustainable and inequitable, relying heavily on meat production through intensive farming models. These practices drive environmental degradation and fail to meet the demands of a growing global population. This is the conclusion of World Animal Protection, which launched its report, Towards Equitable, Humane, and Sustainable Food Systems, just before COP29.

The report outlines the critical need to phase out intensive livestock production to address climate change, protect animal welfare, safeguard public health, and ensure global food security. With the world’s population projected to reach 10 billion within the next 30 years, the strain on the food system is set to intensify.

COP29 and food systems

Animal feed production has the most significant impact, both environmentally and socially. According to FAO data, 77% of global agricultural land is used for animal pastures and feed crops. Yet, despite this extensive use of resources, meat and meat products account for only 18% of the calories and 37% of the protein derived from land use. By contrast, plant-based sources, which require just 23% of agricultural land, deliver 83% of the calories and 63% of the protein.

This imbalance underscores the inefficiency of the current food system and the pressing need to shift towards more sustainable and resilient models, as also highlighted in the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action, endorsed by 160 nations at the 2023 Dubai COP.

As part of this year’s COP29 Presidency Climate Agenda, the Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers was announced. This initiative serves as an aggregator, bringing together various projects, coalitions, and networks to exchange experiences, identify synergies and gaps, facilitate funding, and foster collaboration in the agriculture sector. It also aims to strengthen rural communities, especially by empowering women in these areas.

The impact of meat on the environment

By 2033, global meat consumption is projected to rise, driven primarily by middle-income countries, accounting for 79% of the total increase. In contrast, in 2023, high-income countries represented 32% of global meat consumption, despite making up just 16% of the population. According to FAO estimates, global per capita meat consumption could reach 28.6 kg per year − an increase of 0.5 kilograms annually − although the growth rate is slower than in the past decade. Countries such as Vietnam, the United States, and Brazil are expected to be among the countries with the largest increases in consumption.

However, the current model of intensive livestock farming has significant environmental and social costs. It is a leading driver of deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and the suffering of billions of animals. Additionally, it is a significant contributor to the intensification of climate change.

According to an analysis published in Science, even if fossil fuel emissions were immediately phased out, the emissions from the global food system alone would prevent limiting global warming to 1.5°C − the critical target set by the Paris Agreement. Keeping the temperature rise below 2°C would also remain a significant challenge.

“The simple truth is that we cannot tackle climate change or protect human rights without addressing industrial factory farming − a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions,” says Tricia Croasdell, CEO of World Animal Protection. “The consequences of ongoing inaction are dire. Without substantial reductions in food system emissions, it will be impossible to prevent global heating from spiralling further out of control."   

According to the report Food System Impacts on Biodiversity Loss, published by Chatham House with support from UNEP, the global food system is the leading driver of biodiversity loss, primarily due to land-use changes. Habitat destruction, deforestation, and water pollution are compounding threats to food security, especially in the most vulnerable regions.

How can we improve our food system?

Such a significant shift requires targeted interventions. According to the World Animal Protection report, three key strategies can be implemented to transform agricultural and food systems and effectively tackle the climate crisis. This is particularly important ahead of the upcoming COP30 in Belém, where nations will present their updated NDCs, which should include specific targets for the food sector.

The first lever focuses on strengthening the governance of food systems. It suggests requiring companies to implement transparent traceability and sustainability systems, as well as integrating strategies into national climate policies to curb deforestation linked to intensive livestock production. Additionally, it is crucial to establish a regulatory framework that reduces both production and emissions in the livestock sector, especially in high-meat consuming countries, by redirecting government subsidies towards agroecological practices and small-scale producers.

The second lever seeks to promote agroecological practices by offering financial incentives for adopting agricultural models that respect local communities and indigenous peoples, while also protecting animal welfare. Investment in research and training is recommended to support workers' transition to resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. Equally important is creating and protecting natural areas and ecological corridors to safeguard ecosystems and enhance their carbon sink capacity.

Last but not least, the third lever focuses on changing nutrition patterns, encouraging a reduction in meat consumption, particularly in high-income countries, through policies that promote more plant-based and sustainable diets. Supporting these transitions requires subsidies for the plant-based food sector, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as investment in innovative technologies like cultured meat and alternative proteins. Moreover, it is increasingly important to assess the overall impacts of industrial animal agriculture, including Scope 3 emissions.

Experts are urging governments to acknowledge the impact of industrial agriculture on climate change and take decisive action to halt deforestation. However, the European Parliament has recently delayed the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation for a year, which aims to ensure that products sold within the European Union do not contribute to deforestation. In the meantime, there is growing emphasis on redirecting public subsidies towards more sustainable and resilient agricultural models that prioritise human health and promote greater social equity.

Image: Envato