By Faridat Salifu
World Animal Protection has raised alarm over the neglect of industrial animal agriculture in global climate negotiations.
Billions of farmed animals continue to endure immense suffering while their sector remains largely unaddressed.
Intensive animal farming is a major driver of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sally Kahiu, External Affairs Lead at World Animal Protection, said feeding crops to farmed animals instead of people worsens the climate crisis and environmental destruction.
The final Belém Political Package weakened pledges to halt deforestation, leaving forests and wildlife increasingly vulnerable.
These impacts are being felt globally, driving extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and crop failures across Africa.
World Animal Protection urged governments to confront the true drivers of deforestation and build food systems that are humane, equitable, and sustainable.
COP32 in Ethiopia offers an opportunity for African-led solutions, with countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana already implementing programs to restore forests and promote sustainable agriculture.
