Our Food Business team took centre stage at a major global UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference this week, after being shortlisted for an award recognising innovation in sustainable livestock transformation.

The FAO’s second Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Conference saw our Food Business Head of Research, Amélie Legrand, showcase the team’s pioneering work helping businesses transition to higher-welfare and more sustainable practices to world leaders, policymakers, NGOs and industry representatives.

Three billion animals set to benefit

She highlighted the incredible results the programme has achieved, driving large scale impact by partnering with some of the most influential food companies such as Unilever, Danone, Carrefour and Sodexo. As a result over three billion animals are on the path to better lives each year.

The event brought together almost 2,000 attendees and marked the launch of the FAO’s inaugural awards on the Recognition of Good Practices and Innovations in Sustainable Livestock Transformation. Compassion’s pioneering Food Business programme was shortlisted for its trailblazing, collaborative work with food businesses, embedding animal welfare in sustainable food system transformation.

Spotlight on Compassion’s Food Business programme

This bold, collaborative approach is what sets Compassion apart – turning boardroom pledges into measurable change for animals, people, and the planet.

Amélie said:

Our vision is simple: a world where every farmed animal is treated with compassion and respect, within a food system that is sustainable, fair, and nature friendly. Events like this conference are vital in driving that transformation forward.

Compassion’s voice across the conference

Alongside Amélie’s keynote speech, Compassion featured in two additional events during the conference. Federica di Leonardo, from our International Affairs team, gave a powerful speech at a Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock panel event. Fede introduced our mission and highlighted the role of animal welfare in driving sustainable development. She emphasised the need for metrics and called for inclusive collaboration to transform livestock systems.

Dr Christopher Browne, our Global Head of Research and Policy, moderated a session at the Innovation Forum, which spotlighted practical solutions and success stories driving progress in sustainable livestock systems.

Compassion takes the stage at UN FAO Conference