Extinction or Regeneration: Four weeks to go

In just a few weeks, some of the world’s leading experts in fields from regenerative farming and social justice to animal welfare and sustainable finance will gather in London for the ground-breaking Extinction or Regeneration 2023 international conference.

In light of the growing climate, wildlife and health emergencies this landmark event – organised by Compassion in World Farming, IPES-Food, the Institute of Development Studies and other partners – will see experts share solutions to fix our broken global food system, before it’s too late.

The UN’s Stefanos Fotiou and Corinna Hawkes, activist Vandana Shiva and writer and co-founder of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, Henry Dimbleby will join dozens of experts in regenerative agriculture, climate science, food policy, animal welfare and sustainable investment to help develop a policy roadmap towards a global food system that works for animals, people and our planet.

Taking place at the QEII Centre in London on 11 and 12 May, and online, the hybrid event will address issues such as:

• How we protect the fertility of the precious soil we have left and restore its life and depth
• How to ensure the stability of life within our oceans, seas and waterways and replace unsustainable harvesting that is stripping oceans of life
• How we can restore plummeting biodiversity through nature-friendly approaches to food production and innovative nature-friendly science
• How to avoid future pandemics due to changes in human interactions with wildlife and the keeping of animals in industrial farming systems
  How to feed 10 billion people with nutritious, healthy food and facilitate a shift towards more plant-based diets
• The role alternative proteins could play a part in a sustainable food system
• How to respect animal sentience and provide good animal welfare in farming

Over two days there will be opportunities to hear compelling insights from some of the world’s leading experts, who will share promising solutions for the future. Plenaries and parallel sessions offer a deep dive into the biggest issues relating to the food we eat with roundtable discussions and networking opportunities a chance to catalyse collaboration and change. Topics range from putting the well-being of animals and the planet at the centre of the way we eat to achieving justice when transforming food systems and the future of agroecological and regenerative farming systems.

Delegates and press will have the opportunity to contribute their ideas and expertise, pose thought-provoking questions and to network with new and old connections at the reception on the evening of Thursday 11 May.

You can view the full programma now.

Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming said: “In the face of the growing climate, wildlife and health emergencies, we’re running out of time to fix our broken global food system. But there is hope. The Extinction or Regeneration conference will gather some of the world’s most respected experts and thinkers to share solutions and help develop a policy roadmap that steers us away from extinction and towards regeneration, for the benefit of animals, people and our planet.”

“Whether eminent scientist, ‘rock star of social justice’ or UN representatives, all our world-class speakers share a common drive – to showcase workable solutions and map a clear path towards a better future for us all. With topics covering animal welfare, biodiversity, alternative proteins, regenerative farming, global poverty, avoiding future pandemics, and sustainable finance it promises to be an illuminating, inspirational and informative event that will benefit the very future of our planet and all its inhabitants.”

Olivier de Schutter, co-chair of IPES-Foods and UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, who is presenting at the opening Plenary session on ‘The Impact of the global food system on human, animal and planetary health’ adds: "With our global food systems driving hunger, debt, climate change, and disease, a complete course change is desperately needed. Agribusiness as usual is failing humanity. I'm excited to hear from so many different world-renowned thinkers and practitioners who will be sharing solutions on transforming our food and farming systems for human, planetary and animal health."

For further information about the event and to register, visit the conference website.

For more information and to set up interviews, please contact media.team@ciwf.org 

Notes to editors
Journalists wishing to attend the conference, either online or in person, should contact media.team@ciwf.org to obtain a media pass.