Sustainable Development Goal 2
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
Partnership between governments, intergovernmental organizations, and competent
authorities with the Animal Issues Thematic Cluster and its individual member
organizations can facilitate inclusion of healthy diets that consists of more fruits and
vegetables to populations experiencing food insecurity, especially countries with
moderate to severe insecurity.
Intensive livestock production has contributed and not limited to climate change, human
and animal health concerns, biodiversity loss, increased water use, and land
degradation, which have significant impacts on food security, however, these impacts
can be reduced with necessary actions to shift to more sustainable food system
practices such as plant-based diets.
Governments should consider subsidies and ways to support the growing industries
investing in alternative plant-based proteins to assist in reducing the overall amount of
animal proteins in diets because with increased research, data, and political support
human right to food is attainable.
PROBLEMS
Animals are essential to the livelihoods and well-being of global communities, and there is limited awareness of the integral part animal welfare plays within food security. There are various challenges in regard to humanity’s reliance on and interdependence with animals as the world population continues to increase. These include, but are not limited to, a greater demand for food, increased use of land and water, overfishing, and multiplying impacts of livestock on the environment. In addition to environmental issues that play a significant role within food security; economic and social conflicts also contribute to the ongoing crises of hunger and malnutrition. The food system production in some parts of the world could alleviate much of the global issues with hunger and malnutrition, however there is a disconnect with these resources and practices reaching less privileged communities. The SDGs emphasize the importance of human well-being with minimal focus on the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment, which is necessary to acknowledge for developing solutions for SGD 2.
“The food system production in some parts of the world could alleviate much of the global issues with hunger and malnutrition, however there is a disconnect with these resources and practices reaching less privileged communities.”
SOLUTIONS
Eliminating hunger and malnutrition with a realization of the right to food will require actions from stakeholders such as farmers, consumers, governments, and corporations. Actions include increasing support for agro-ecological solutions and practices, consuming locally-sourced seasonal foods, reducing the cost of nutritious foods, increasing worker wages, promoting plant-based diets and consuming less animal products especially in western diets where obesity has increased, reducing food waste, and eliminating livestock sector subsidies while implementing taxation. Actions that improve food security, advance dietary health, increase community and ecosystem resilience to climate change, and improve animal welfare are vital to feeding the world’s growing population and ensuring that food systems and the planet are not threatened currently and for future generations.
Investments in technologies such as biotech and plant-based meat alternatives are in demand, and a viable market, due to consumer concerns surrounding environmental destruction and animal welfare. However, these alternatives are not attainable to much of the world’s population and affordable options are a priority to ensure there is equal opportunity for healthy diets.
The Animal Issues Thematic Cluster (AITC) is a coalition of NGOs with experts in various industries who can assist to ensure that policy and planning incorporate animal welfare into food security.
INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Governments must ensure the training and effective implementation in order to integrate all stakeholders in societal change and development policies and plans for food security that take animal welfare into account.
Government institutions need to work together to develop concrete and cross-departmental solutions to shift toward more sustainable food systems to reduce food insecurity.
Agricultural extension services need to train farmers and producers in more agroecological, humane and sustainable practices.
Awareness campaigns can also help consumers transition to more sustainable consumption practices
Governments and teacher training institutions should work with NGOs and other stakeholders to reach children and communities in every cross-section of the globe to provide them with comprehensive humane education which focuses on the interconnectedness between humans, animals, and the environment.
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships between governments, intergovernmental institutions, research and academic institutions, and civil society are critical to gaining comprehensive perspectives. Utilizing experts and resources that are necessary to incorporate the protection of animals as an integral component of food security. Partnerships such as these must ensure effective monitoring, review, and accountability of all processes and planning to fully implement the 2030 Agenda.
The AITC consists of globally recognized NGOs who bring together knowledge, expertise and solutions regarding animal welfare within food security. Establishing partnerships between AITC members and private and government sectors is a valuable asset and resourceful opportunity for the Sustainable Development Agenda.
All stakeholders in the food systems industry must engage and collectively work together in shifting and transforming society to healthy diets that consist of more sustainable plant-based diets.
Including innovators in the food sector, especially utilizing knowledge from companies supporting new sustainable products and processes is pivotal.
With empathy education and community outreach, SDG stakeholders can highlight the interdependence between humans, animals, and the environment and the benefits of the interconnectedness between the three have on food security. The opportunity provides a pathway for communities and governments to become more open to working together, which in turn creates potential partnerships for all parties..