Implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: Innovative approach to food & farming required

The Paris Climate Agreement agreed to limit the rise in global temperatures to "well below 2°C" but stresses that the emission reductions pledged to date are insufficient to meet this crucial target.  So, clearly all sectors must reduce their emissions – including food and farming, which the Paris conference failed to address. The SDGs are a set of goals and targets that UN member countries will use to influence their policies over the next 15 years. The goals include zero hunger, health and water, and aim for responsible consumption with people having the relevant information and awareness that foster lifestyles in harmony with nature.

This paper examines the damaging impacts of  industrial animal agriculture on global food security, on the environment, soils, water, the climate, and global resources of water and crops. Reduced meat and dairy consumption by high-consuming populations would help meet the Paris target and would also contribute to realising the SDGs on health, nutrition, food security, natural resources and sustainable consumption.