‘Big Ag Is Casting a Dark Shadow’: WAP Highlights Animal Welfare at the COP30 People’s March

The march, one of the largest mobilisation moments around COP30 so far, spotlighted the destructive role of industrial agriculture — particularly factory farming and the global animal feed trade — in driving deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate breakdown.

At the march, "where thousands of people will walk together for several kilometres, demanding real solutions to human-caused global warming", World Animal Protection staff and volunteers marched in solidarity with communities demanding a just transition away from harmful agricultural systems and cruel intensive animal farming.

The health of animals, people and the environment is interlinked

During the mobilisation, Kelly Dent, Director of External Engagement, delivered a powerful message:

"Today we march because 'big ag' is casting a dark shadow over a climate-safe future. The health of our animals, people and environment is interlinked.

Destroying forests for feed and cramming billions of animals into cruel factory farm systems is not ‘feeding the world,’ it’s breaking the planet.

Our message will be heard today; until we get rid of animal cruelty in farming, climate change will worsen"

Her words captured the urgent need to transform food systems — a central theme of WAP’s work at COP30.

Calling for food systems that protect animals and restore the planet 

Marching alongside partner organisations and frontline communities, World Animal Protection Brazil highlighted the intersection between climate, biodiversity, human rights and the suffering of billions of sentient farmed animals.

Camila Mikie Nakaharada, Climate Manager at WAP Brazil, said:

“We stand in solidarity for climate justice. We stand for animal welfare. In Brazil, industrial agriculture is driving deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Animal agriculture is driving suffering for billions of animals. World Animal Protection Brazil joins the global call for a just transition—one that uplifts Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, quilombola communities and small-scale agroecological farmers.

We demand food systems that nourish people, protect animals, and restore the planet. There is no climate justice without human rights and animal welfare."

People power at COP30

The People’s March demonstrated the strength of movements across Brazil and the world that are demanding climate action that protects animals, communities and the planet. For World Animal Protection, it was a moment to amplify the voices of those most affected — and to reinforce that transforming food systems is essential to achieving climate justice.

Watch moments from the march

WAP Brazil captured powerful scenes from the People’s March, highlighting the energy and solidarity on the ground.

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Factory farming: a major driver of the climate crisis

Factory farming — particularly the production of feed crops and livestock for global meat companies like JBS — remains one of the leading forces behind Amazon deforestation and environmental degradation.

Across Brazil and worldwide, industrial agriculture:

• Clears vast areas of forest for cattle pasture and soy for animal feed
• Emits greenhouse gases on a massive scale
• Drives species loss and ecosystem collapse
• Causes immense suffering to billions of animals confined in intensive systems
• Undermines Indigenous territories and traditional farming systems

A truly climate-safe future requires shifting away from these destructive practices and supporting humane, sustainable food systems grounded in animal welfare and ecological justice.

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