Three ways working animals matter at COP30

COP30, the annual climate change conference of the United Nations, is happening now in Brazil.  

Thousands of people from around the world will gather together to discuss the climate emergency against a backdrop of financial pressures and political turmoil.  

Brooke will be there in Belem highlighting three ways in which working animals, and all animals, are part of the solution and need to be considered in the climate change debate.  

With temperatures rising, the world sees an increase in climate-related disasters: floods, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis that destroy lives and livelihoods. Our research shows that working animals play a vital role before, during and after disasters.  

They help evacuate people out of disaster-struck zones, bring in food and medical supplies, and help rebuild damaged services and systems and restore livelihoods. Brooke is campaigning for these animals to be included in disaster risk reduction policies and protocols.  

In 2024, we successfully advocated for the United Nations to formally recognise the role of working animals in the disaster risk reduction resolution.  

Our work will be featured at COP30 as part of the World Federation for Animals exhibition booth.

Working animals such as horses, donkeys and mules support the livelihoods of communities with some of the lightest environmental footprints. 

For example, donkeys often form part of the local circular economy, where little goes to waste. They plough fields and carry water to irrigate crops, they transport crops to market and crop residue is used as donkey feed. With the manure going back to the soil, the circle is closed.  

Brooke is pleased to be part of the UN FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance Partnership (LEAP) discussion panel at COP30 'The Role of Livestock in Circular Bioeconomy Systems'.

Farmed animals usually feature in climate debates in the context of greenhouse gas emissions. What is overlooked is the role of animals in reducing emissions - healthy animals produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.  

Improved animal welfare is fundamental to better health and productivity. This is because animals that experience less stress, proper nutrition and humane handling are more resilient to disease and are able to work more easily. 

A Brooke-led coalition, Action for Animal Health, has teamed up with Health4Animals to produce a practical guide for governments  ‘How to Advance NDCs and Climate Strategies through Animal Health – A Step by Step Guide’.  

We will be discussing this at the COP30 event ‘Animal Health: A Triple Win Solution for Brazil and Beyond’.