Sustainability

By 2030, our global population is expected to grow to 8.5 billion – nearly 1 billion more than live on our planet today. Sustainably providing for their health and livelihoods is paramount.

This challenge is why the United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — our global “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” by 2030.

However, the United Nations estimates the world is behind in achieving the SDGs and current efforts are “insufficient.” We must dramatically increase and accelerate our efforts if we are to achieve these goals in the coming decade.

To do so, our world must consider the role of animals. Outbreaks of livestock disease can reduce production of meat, milk and eggs, leading to shortages of these nutrient-rich foods. Meanwhile, pathogens in wildlife can cross over into vulnerable populations of people and domestic animals, as we saw with Covid-19.

Our future is clearly intertwined with animals and the environment. All three share “One Health”. What affects one, will affect the others. It’s why improving the health of animals can strengthen efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Our members support sustainability. Access to animal health products is critical to achieving healthier animals for a healthier Canada.

Oxford Analytica, a leading research and analysis firm, recently developed a new report – Animal Health and Sustainability: A Global Data Analysis, which was commissioned by our partner at HealthforAnimals. The report analyses the relationship between animal health and the three pillars of sustainability, environmental, economic and social.

This study shows that improved animal health can reduce global livestock emissions by 10%.