Sign Up
Published 12/11/2022Today (12th November), Compassion joined forces with NGOs across the world to launch a major new celebrity-backed global movement dedicated to ending factory farming at the COP27 climate conference in Egypt.
The ‘End of the Line for Factory Farming’ campaign is supported by multiple NGOs, individuals and celebrities – such as TV’s Succession actor Brian Cox, X-Men 2 star Alan Cumming, actor and comedian Steve Coogan, and UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE. It sees the launch of a multi-language petition platform to catalyse global public support calling on world leaders to end factory farming through a global agreement.
The public have spoken
To mark the launch, we released results from an opinion poll showing that 69% of British adults believe factory farming puts profits ahead of taking care of the climate and our environment.
The YouGov research – conducted in 13 countries – also shows that British adults believe factory farming puts profits ahead of animal welfare (81%) and the health of people who eat animal products (66%).
Celebrity support
World-renowned actor, Brian Cox, who has signed the End of the Line petition, says: “Tackling climate change is one of the most important undertakings of our time – but to turn the tide on this crisis, we need to address its root causes – and animal factory farming is one of them. Far beyond the suffering it inflicts on animals, intensive farming is threatening the very future of our planet.”
Dragons’ Den investor and Compassion Patron, Deborah Meaden, who also supports the campaign, adds: “We cannot stand by idly while our broken food system threatens the well-being of people, animals and our planet. Intensive animal agriculture is a major driver of antibiotic resistance in people, and causes pollution, deforestation, and wildlife loss. Let’s tell world leaders, enough is enough.”
Bicycle billboards
Earlier today, eye-catching bicycle billboards were launched at popular landmarks in New York, London and Paris to raise public awareness of the impact of factory farming on climate. The poll revealed that only one in two British adults (55%) are aware that the livestock sector produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the emissions of all the world’s planes, trains and cars put together.
Why now?
This week the world’s eyes have been on Egypt as leading thinkers and policy makers join global leaders to find solutions to the climate crisis and commit to ways to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. But we can’t tackle the growing climate emergency without ending factory farming.
Dr Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business remarks: “Today, we’re calling time on factory farming. Not only is it the single biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet and a major driver of wildlife declines but without ending it we simply cannot tackle the growing climate emergency.
“Our poll shows that many people simply aren’t aware of the huge impact intensive livestock production is having on our climate and our health. The End of the Line campaign aims to raise awareness and harness worldwide support to get leaders to end factory farming and transform our food system to one where people, animals, planet can coexist to the benefit of all.
“We urgently need to move away from industrial agriculture to more regenerative, agroecological methods that restore soils and biodiversity, whilst reducing our reliance on meat and dairy products and putting animal sentience at the heart of all we do.
“We’re urging individuals, forward-thinking businesses, NGOs and others to join this global movement today. The messages coming out at COP27 are loud and clear – urgent and systemic change is needed to secure the very future of the planet.”
Find out more about how you can help tackle the global climate, nature and health crisis here.
