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AEL Advocacy's Recommendations for Canada's 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy

AEL Advocacy has written a letter to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), highlighting the importance of prioritizing and incorporating animal health and welfare considerations into our national strategy to protect and sustain our rich biodiversity.



ECCC is currently leading development of Canada's 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and seeking feedback on their Discussion Paper, “Towards a 2030 Biodiversity Strategy for Canada: Halting and reversing nature loss”. The 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy will establish a shared vision for halting and reversing biodiversity loss in Canada, reflect Canada’s domestic priorities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, and guide how Canada implements the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.


AEL Advocacy's letter draws attention to the Animal Welfare - Environment - Sustainable Development Nexus Resolution adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly in 2022.[1] This resolution recognizes the crucial relationship between animal welfare and environmental challenges. It emphasizes that animal welfare not only addresses these challenges but also supports the "One Health" approach––a concept that highlights the interdependence of human, animal, and plant health.[2] By acknowledging this link, Canada's 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy can strive for a more holistic and sustainable framework.


To ensure the inclusion of animal welfare in Canada's biodiversity strategy, AEL Advocacy provides five comprehensive recommendations:

  1. Enhance Collaboration and Coordination: Based on the "One Health, One Welfare" approach, AEL Advocacy advocates for increased collaboration between governmental departments, animal and environmental protection organizations, and public health agencies. This collaboration will enable the effective integration of animal health and welfare considerations into the national strategy.

  2. Uphold Wild Animal Welfare: Safeguarding wild animals and their habitats is essential for biodiversity conservation. AEL Advocacy recommends implementing welfare guidelines for wildlife trade and use to reduce mortality rates, prevent zoonotic diseases, and combat illegal trade.[3] Furthermore, shifting away from harmful wildlife exploitation practices and supporting rewilding efforts will aid in the restoration of diverse ecosystems.[4]

  3. Increase Public Awareness and Education: Creating awareness about the importance of animal health and welfare in maintaining ecosystem health is vital. We recommend public awareness campaigns to educate individuals on responsible and sustainable interactions with wildlife, as well as animal-friendly practices across all sectors.

  4. Allocate Resources for Research and Monitoring: Investing in scientific research and monitoring programs is crucial to understand the interconnections between animal health, ecosystem health, and human health. Evidence-based decision-making will drive effective strategies to address emerging challenges and promote sustainable practices.

  5. Focus on Food System Transformation: Recognizing the detrimental impact of the global food system on biodiversity loss, AEL Advocacy recommends focusing on food system transformation in the 2030 Strategy. This involves prioritizing high-welfare animal agriculture practices and transitioning away from animal-based foods towards plant-based alternatives. Implementing these changes will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced pollution, and increased biodiversity. By mitigating the negative impacts associated with intensive farming and supporting the development of plant-based protein and emerging technologies, Canada can lead the way towards a compassionate, resilient, and biodiverse future.



AEL Advocacy's recommendations provide a roadmap for integrating animal health and welfare into the strategy, emphasizing collaboration, upholding wild animal welfare, raising public awareness, allocating resources for research, and transforming the food system. Together, these efforts will contribute to a compassionate, resilient, and biodiverse future for Canada and the planet as a whole.


Read the full letter here.


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[1] https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/39731/K2200707%20-%20UNEP-EA.5-Res.1%20-%20ADVANCE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [2] World Federation for Animals, “Unveiling the Nexus: The Interdependence of Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainable Development” (2023), online: <https://perma.cc/J44Q-UF43>; See also: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/global-initiatives/one-health/

[3] World Federation for Animals, “Unveiling the Nexus: The Interdependence of Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainable Development” (2023), online: <https://perma.cc/J44Q-UF43>.

[4] World Federation for Animals, “Unveiling the Nexus: The Interdependence of Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainable Development” (2023), online: <https://perma.cc/J44Q-UF43>.





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