Factory farming in Africa: development banks like it, but it's bad for climate
4 months ago
- #livestock farming
- #development banks
- #climate change
- Pastoral livestock farming has been the main form of livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa for centuries.
- Development banks are increasingly funding industrialized, mass livestock farming (factory farming) in the region.
- Factory farming is a high-emissions method, leading to carbon lock-in and making it difficult to transition to climate-friendly farming.
- Between 2018 and 2024, multilateral development banks invested over $1 billion in industrializing animal agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Industrial animal agriculture contributes 12%-19.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions through methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide.
- Development banks should redirect funding to pastoral or smallholder farming, which emit fewer greenhouse gases and support local food security.
- Civil society campaigns like Stop Financing Factory Farming are urging development banks to stop funding high-emission systems.
- Agroecological systems, plant-based foods, and lab-grown meat are climate-smart alternatives that should be supported.
- The World Bank has invested $807 million in pastoral development projects, including drought-resistant water systems and veterinary services.