Earlier today, eye-catching bicycle billboards were launched at popular landmarks in New York, London and Paris to raise public awareness of the impact of factory farming on climate. The poll revealed that only one in two British adults (55%) are aware that the livestock sector produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the emissions* of all the world’s planes, trains and cars put together.

Why now?

This week the world’s eyes have been on Egypt as leading thinkers and policy makers join global leaders to find solutions to the climate crisis and commit to ways to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. But we can’t tackle the growing climate emergency without ending factory farming.

Dr Nick Palmer, Head of our UK office, remarks: “Today, we’re calling time on factory farming. Not only is it the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet and a major driver of wildlife declines but without ending it we simply cannot tackle the growing climate emergency.

“Our research shows that British people aren’t convinced by industry propaganda that factory farming is ‘necessary’ to feed the world. Their priority is making money – and at the expense of our climate, our health and animal welfare. Big meat companies prop up a highly profitable system without accounting for the climate, health and animal welfare impacts they cause. The results also show that many people simply aren’t aware of the livestock sector’s emissions impact on climate compared to transport.

“The End of the Line campaign will harness worldwide support to get leaders to end this cruel and destructive practice and to transform our food system so that it benefits animals, people and the planet. This must include managing the unsustainable consumption of meat, poultry, fish and dairy, especially in high consuming populations.

“We’re urging individuals, forward-thinking businesses, NGOs and others who care about animals, our planet, and our health, to join this global movement today. It’s either the End of the Line for Factory Farming, or for us.”

*This statement relates to data for direct emissions from the livestock sector (4.5 Billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent) and from planes, trains and cars put together (4.1 Billion tonnes of CO2) for 2015.

The End of the Line for Factory Farming starts here