COP26 delegates let down animals, planet

IN 2010 the UN urged people to drastically reduce meat eating in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Eleven years on, any mention of animal agriculture has been avoided in COP26 discussions, even though it is responsible for 14.5 per cent to 16.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Phasing out coal has been a major issue in COP26. However it is reported that even if the use of fossil fuel was ended immediately the emissions from animal agriculture alone would make it impossible to limit global warming to the 1.5C target.

An analysis in 2014 by the Natural Resources Defence Council in the US showed that beef alone was responsible for 34 per cent of all food-related greenhouse gas emissions in that country.

As well as global warming, animal agriculture is a leading cause of habitat destruction, desertification, wildlife extinction and ocean dead zones. Although COP26 addressed deforestation, delegates failed to mention that an estimated 80 per cent of global deforestation is caused by the expansion of animal agriculture.

Animal agriculture also uses a considerable amount of water. A global scientific study revealed “animal products have a large water footprint relative to crop products.” To make matters worse, animal agriculture is also a cause of land, water and air pollution.

The conditions in which many farmed animals are kept has resulted in the over-use of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are among the gravest health threats to humans. Health officials say this will only get worse if the overuse of these drugs continues.

Low on the list of priorities for animal agriculture, welfare standards vary considerably worldwide.

Even though the UK boasts of high standards, many undercover investigations have revealed heartbreaking conditions and treatment of animals.

A recent expose by Sky News about beef production in Brazil revealed sickening cruelty. The feature said that it was impossible to trace where the beef was eventually sold.

There has never been a better time to reduce meat consumption or give it up - for the planet, for health and for the animals.

Elizabeth Allison,