Animal health, planetary wealth: why animal health and welfare are crucial for a sustainable future

When we talk about saving the planet, we often focus on reducing carbon emissions, restoring ecosystems, or controlling pollution. But there’s a critical link in the chain that rarely gets the attention it deserves: animal health. Growing evidence shows that the wellbeing of animals is directly related to global food security, biodiversity, public health, and climate resilience.

This isn’t just about animal welfare – it’s about planetary survival.

One Health

The One Health framework, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), emphasises that human, animal, and environmental health are interdependent. Roughly 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals – a powerful reminder that managing animal health is essential for preventing pandemics.

But the implications go beyond diseases. Healthy animals contribute to more efficient farming, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and more stable ecosystems.

How animal health shapes planetary health

1. Food security and sustainable agriculture

Livestock support the livelihoods of 1.3 billion people worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, animal diseases cost the global economy over $120 billion annually through lost productivity, mortality, and trade restrictions. Healthier herds not only reduce waste but also improve resource efficiency, requiring less land, feed, and water per unit of protein produced.

2. Disease prevention and pandemic preparedness

Zoonotic diseases – those that transmit from animals to humans – represent a growing threat. Strengthening veterinary surveillance and vaccination programs in animals can significantly reduce the risk of zoonoses outbreaks events. For example, the near-eradication of rabies through widespread dog vaccination campaigns demonstrates how animal health interventions save human lives.

3. Biodiversity and ecosystem stability

Wildlife health acts as an indicator of ecosystem integrity. Disease outbreaks in wild animals show how disease can devastate entire species and disrupt ecological balance. Since biodiversity is essential for ecosystem maintenance such as pollination, water purification, and soil fertility, maintaining animal health is essential for planetary resilience.

4. Climate change and environmental impact

Healthy, well-managed livestock emit fewer greenhouse gases relative to output. For example, dairy cows with good veterinary care can produce up to 30% more milk with a lower carbon footprint than unhealthy herds. On a global scale, this translates into significant reductions in methane emissions and land-use pressures.

Investing in animal health: a global priority

To strengthen the link between animal and planetary health, experts recommend:

• Scaling up veterinary infrastructure in low-resource regions.
• Investing in disease surveillance systems that monitor both livestock and wildlife.
• Promoting responsible antibiotic use to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens both human and veterinary medicine.
• Integrating animal health into climate and biodiversity policies, ensuring it’s treated as part of the solution rather than an afterthought.

A healthier planet starts with healthier animals

Planetary health is not just about forests and oceans – it’s about the creatures we share them with. By prioritising animal health, we strengthen food systems, prevent pandemics, conserve biodiversity, and reduce climate impacts.

In short: animal health is planetary wealth. If we want a sustainable future, veterinary science must be at the heart of global health strategies.

Prof Roberta Blake, Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences