In a landmark resolution adopted at the 2022 UN Environment Assembly, the world’s governments first recognized the important interlinkages between animal welfare, the environment, and sustainable development.

Animal welfare interacts with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in important ways. As increasingly recognized through the One Health approach, practices that undermine animal welfare often negatively affect human health and the environment, while policies that promote animal welfare can likewise help us achieve better sustainable development outcomes. Environmental problems affect humans and non-humans alike and our responses to these problems will as well. As we build more resilient and sustainable infrastructure and reduce environmental risks through policy, we can improve conditions for humans and non-humans at the same time.

Ahead of the Stockholm+50 Conference commemorating 50 years of global environmental governance, this interactive panel discussion will explore the relevance of animal welfare for environmental protection and One Health and examine promising policy interventions for integrating animal welfare into sustainable development governance.

This event is hosted by the Stockholm Environment Institute and New York University Animal Studies.

Panellists

• Moderator: Dr. Jeff Sebo, Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy, and Law, and Director of the Animal Studies M.A. Program, New York University
• UNEA resolution: Dr. Zerubabel Getachew, Ethiopia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in Nairobi
• Sustainable development policy and animal welfare: Cleo Verkuijl, Research Fellow, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
• One health and the science of animal welfare: Dr. Maria José Hötzel, Professor, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
• Just transitions for more sustainable, healthier and compassionate societies: Lasse Bruun, CEO, 50by40