Last week, we were in Nairobi, Kenya, at the world’s highest-level decision-making body for environmental matters, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Throughout the week, we spoke to Member States, UN Agencies, civil society and scientists, and joined events highlighting the links between our food system and the environment.

Bringing together all 193 Member States of the UN to tackle the three biggest environmental challenges we face – climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the seventh session of UNEA comes at a critical moment.

One Health

Our Global CEO Philip Lymbery called for a holistic environmental health approach with his speech at the start of the week. He outlined the growing importance of One Health – a framework which acknowledges the interconnectedness of animal, human, and planetary health.

He also called for a shift to nature-friendly, agroecological farming, which could reduce the risk of pandemics, support soil health and limit the pollution, deforestation and emissions driven by our industrial food system.

Nitrogen

Our Senior International Affairs Manager, Andrea Perez, moderated a key side event with renowned scientists, UNEP representatives, and Member States. She called for Member States to listen to scientific consensus and properly regulate nitrogen pollution, which is caused by the overuse of synthetic fertilisers for animal feed and poor management of livestock manure.

Andrea also joined several sessions dedicated to driving progress on countries’ National Nitrogen Action Plans, under UNEA resolutions and the Colombo Declaration.

She said,

We can’t afford inaction on nutrient pollution. This is a key piece of the puzzle for addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis.

"Meaningful change"

At the conclusion of the Assembly’s seventh session, our Global Head of International Affairs, Nicholas Ceolin, said:

This week in Nairobi we’ve made it clear: we cannot protect the environment without transforming animal welfare and the way we produce and consume food. We are committed to working with Member States, UN agencies, and partners to drive meaningful, science-based change.

Industrial agriculture: "a key piece of the puzzle"