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The discussion about sustainability in food production has moved beyond purely environmental or economic indicators. Issues such as public health, food security, the resilience of production systems and social responsibility have taken a central place on global agendas. In this context, animal welfare is gaining relevance as a structuring element of sustainability.
Sustainability, animal welfare and the 2030 Agenda
Although animal welfare does not appear explicitly among the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the scientific literature has shown that it is deeply connected to achieving central targets of the 2030 Agenda. Food security, public health, climate action and responsible production and consumption are some of the axes directly impacted by the conditions in which animals are raised, handled and integrated into production systems.
This relationship was analyzed systematically in the study conducted by Linda Keeling and other researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science. The article, titled “Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”, evaluated how improvements in animal welfare relate to the different goals and targets of the SDGs, even in the absence of direct mention of the topic in official UN documents.
The study was based on the assessment of experts in animal science and sustainability, who analyzed the relationship between animal welfare and each of the 17 SDGs, also considering their 169 specific targets. The results show that 66 of these targets have a direct relation or are relevant to animal welfare.
Synergies between animal welfare and sustainable development
One of the central conclusions of the work is that the relationship between animal welfare and the SDGs is, for the most part, synergistic. In other words, actions that promote better living conditions for animals tend to contribute positively to the advancement of global targets, rather than creating conflicts. Likewise, policies and initiatives aimed at sustainable development often create more favorable conditions for improving animal welfare.
In the field of food security, associated with SDG 2, animal welfare is linked to the health and productivity of herds. Animals raised in species-appropriate conditions tend to show lower incidence of disease, better productive performance and greater efficiency in resource use. This strengthens more stable and resilient food systems, especially in contexts of growing pressure on food production. Keeling’s study itself points out that, although there are historical tensions between increasing production and animal welfare, there is room for alignment when sustainable practices are adopted in an integrated way.
Public health, encompassed by SDG 3, is another axis directly related. Poor animal management conditions are associated with higher risks of the spread of infectious diseases, including zoonoses. Improving animal welfare helps reduce these risks, reinforcing integrated approaches such as the One Health concept, which recognizes the interdependence between human, animal and environmental health. This connection is highlighted in the article as one of the clearest ways animal welfare engages with the global health agenda.
Regarding responsible consumption and production, the central theme of SDG 12, the study identifies one of the strongest relationships with animal welfare. Production practices that respect animals’ physiological and behavioral needs tend to require greater transparency, traceability and accountability along value chains. This responds to growing societal demand for more ethical and sustainable food systems, and also encourages changes in consumption patterns.
Animal welfare, climate and ecosystem conservation
The connections also extend to environmental SDGs, such as climate action, life below water and life on land. Management strategies that incorporate animal welfare often go hand in hand with lower-impact environmental practices, such as more efficient use of natural resources, reduction of productive losses and greater resilience of agricultural systems. The study points out that these combinations are particularly relevant when analyzing targets related to ecosystem conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity.
Beyond environmental and health dimensions, animal welfare also relates to social aspects of the SDGs, such as reducing inequalities and promoting sustainable livelihoods. In many regions of the world, especially in developing countries, animal husbandry is an essential source of income and economic security for rural communities and vulnerable groups. Improving animal welfare can contribute to the stability of these livelihoods, strengthening the social dimension of sustainability.
The main message of the study “Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” is that animal welfare should not be treated as an isolated or merely ethical issue, but as a structural component of sustainability. Even absent from the official SDG text, it intersects dozens of targets of the 2030 Agenda and directly influences expected outcomes in key areas of global development.
Therefore, incorporating animal welfare as an indicator not only of sustainability but also of production quality represents an important step to align production practices with global targets. This approach enhances the sector’s capacity to respond to contemporary challenges such as food security, public health and the climate crisis, while reinforcing coherence between economic performance, social responsibility and environmental stewardship.