Animals vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goals

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A new report calls on international policymakers to integrate principles of animal welfare and wildlife conservation in all efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Thriving Together: The Critical Role of Animals in Achieving the SDGs has been released today by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and features case studies from around the world that clearly demonstrate the importance of animal and habitat health to overall human well-being.

Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by United Nations members in 2015, the SDGs outline international priorities to achieve sustainable human development, including management of population growth, infrastructure plans, and longevity of our natural resources. However, to date they place limited emphasis on the value of the natural world.

“Our connection with the natural world has never been clearer than it is at this moment, as demonstrated by the unprecedented impact of global climate change, global pandemics and environmental degradation,” said Mark Hofberg, Campaigns Officer at IFAW and lead author of the report. “It is therefore necessary that we acknowledge this vital relationship and include animals at the start of all decisions around sustainable development.”

Effective welfare and conservation actions will contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs and improving people’s lives at the pace that is required for the health of our planet. Acknowledging the role of animals can lead to greater food security, prevention of disease, and strengthened contribution of vital species to overall ecosystem health—and thus increased resilience against the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Key findings highlighted in the report include:

• Climate Action, SDG #13. Large mammals such as elephants and whales are keystone species that help to promote growth and sequester carbon as they traverse vast habitats. Global losses of wildlife have cascading consequences throughout ecosystems, which in turn make humans more vulnerable to the dangers of climate change.

• Life on Land, SDG #15. Humanity is at a critical juncture in preventing biodiversity loss and halting the extinction of endangered species. We rely on terrestrial ecosystems in both subtle and obvious ways, some of which we may not realize until it is too late. When wildlife habitats are protected, ecosystem services thrive and destructive forces are…