Photo of UNEA Forum in Nairobi | Photo Courtesy UNEP
World Animal Protection – a global animal welfare organization has commended the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) on steering negotiations that resulted to the adoption of 15 resolutions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Director for Africa at World Animal Protection Tennyson Williams said from theassembly, they welcome two resolutions. The first is, UNEP/EA.6/L.11 resolution which focuses on promoting sustainable lifestyles.
He said this resolution underscores the role of private sector and industry, local authorities, local communities, and Indigenous people in supporting more sustainable lifestyles. It further recognizes that adequate individual education and skills can further accelerate collective efforts for sustainable consumption and production and promote more sustainable lifestyles.
The second is UNEP/EA.6/L.16 resolution, which focuses on effective and inclusive solutions for strengthening water policies.
Williams said this resolution emphasises the integration of the One Health approach into intergovernmental processes and development strategies at all levels, highlighting the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.
“These two resolutions touche on one of our strategic focus area- The Food Systems Campaign. The resolutions draw our attention to how we grow, trade, and consume our food and the need to re-evaluate the whole process especially on industrial livestock production systems to feed the world”, he said.
“The resolutions should awaken nations to create and implement policies that promote safe food production for sustainable lifestyles. Consumers on their end, should be on high alert to demand for food from higher welfare farms that practice good life stands safe for animals, humans, and the environment,” he added.
Photo of UNEA Forum in Nairobi | Photo Courtesy UNEP
However, Williams said despite the progress made, World Animal Protection strongly feels that the explicit role of animal welfare in tackling climate crisis dropped in UNEA – 6 compared to the previous one and if not checked, it may water down previous milestones achieved.
Hence, he said World Animal Protection urges UNEA to reconsider the space of Animal welfare in future sessions and calls on United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to expedite the implementation of Resolution UNEP/EA.5/Res.1 adopted two years ago on the nexus between Animal Welfare and climate change .
He said this is vital considering animals’ crucial role in the global ecosystem and their contributions to addressing the triple planetary crisis.
The sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) took place in Nairobi-Kenya between 26th February and 1st March 2024, which brought together representatives of 193 Member States of the UN and special groups to negotiate on how to tackle climate crisis.
