Financing the Protein Shift: Investing in a Humane, Sustainable Future
News
At COP30, the FARMS Initiative launched the Protein Shift Responsible Minimum Standard (RMS), a new framework designed to guide investors and financial institutions toward humane, sustainable, and climate-compatible food systems.
World Animal Protection joined partners to call on the finance sector to redirect capital away from factory farming and towards diversified protein systems that benefit animals, people and the planet.
Why finance shapes the future
Every year, more than 76 billion animals are farmed and killed for food, most in industrial systems that inflict immense suffering and drive deforestation, emissions and biodiversity loss.
Despite this, billions in public subsidies and private finance continue to sustain these harmful systems. Redirecting this capital is essential if the world is to meet its climate and nature goals and end the suffering of animals trapped in intensive animal farming.
A roadmap for responsible finance
The Protein Shift RMS offers a practical tool for banks, insurers and investors to align their portfolios with sustainability and respect for animals.
It sets clear minimum expectations for financial institutions to reduce exposure to intensive, high-emission livestock production and to increase investment in plant-based and alternative proteins.
Finance shapes the future. The choices made by financial institutions today will determine whether we meet the Paris Agreement and nature goals or continue to fund the crisis. The Protein Shift RMS is a tool to guide this transformation, aligning portfolios with science, sustainability, and compassion.
Connecting the dots: Subsidies, finance and food systems
This initiative builds on the findings from 'Subsidising Factory Farm Harm', World Animal Protection's latest report, which exposes how billions of public funds support factory farming each year.
Together, these resources highlight a shared message: governments and financial institutions must stop subsidising harm and start funding change.
Redirection of financial flows is not only a climate imperative; it's a moral and economic opportunity to drive the just transition towards sustainable food systems.
Towards a humane and sustainable future
A just transition must empower farmers, protect workers, and restore ecosystems while ensuring all animals live free from cruelty.
By combining financial standards such as the Protein Shift RMS with public policy reform, we can unlock the investment needed to scale humane, plant-based solutions globally.
This transformation will help deliver on the Just Food Transition Roadmap, which outlines over 100 policy recommendations for governments, companies, and investors to build a humane, fairer, and more sustainable future.
What can we all do
Transforming food systems requires collaboration across various sectors, including finance, policy, agriculture, and civil society.
We believe that prioritising animals is not only better for them but also essential for people and the planet.
By working together, we can ensure that capital drives the protein shift - one that changes lives, forever.
Every action counts:
- Reduce your consumption of animal products and opt for more plant-based foods.
- Advocate for animal welfare and humane food systems that respect animals and the environment.
Join our community and support our work to help end animal cruelty and create a sustainable future for all.
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