The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the world’s most ambitious framework for creating a sustainable future. Yet, a new report by researchers from SEI and New York University highlights a critical oversight: animal health and welfare

Why does this matter for conservation? There are three compelling reasons:

1️⃣ Ethical responsibility: Animals are sentient beings, deserving of humane treatment and ethical consideration.
2️⃣ Interconnected health: Animal health is deeply linked to public health, food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity. Healthy animals mean healthier ecosystems and communities.
3️⃣ Practical solutions exist: Approaches that improve animal welfare often benefit humans, wildlife, and the environment simultaneously.

The report suggests several ways to better integrate animal welfare into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

✔️ Embed animal health and welfare considerations into existing SDGs
✔️ Introduce new targets and indicators under current goals
✔️ Consider creating a dedicated SDG focused on animal health and welfare

For conservationists, this is a critical opportunity. By recognizing the role of animals not just as species to protect but as sentient beings whose health is interwoven with our own, we can create strategies that advance biodiversity, climate resilience, and global well-being.

📌 Read the full report here: https://wp.nyu.edu/ceap/integrating-animal-health-and-welfare-into-the-2030-agenda-and-beyond/