OBJECTIVE:
“We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law. Yet our world is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy peace, security and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is not inevitable and must be addressed”.
“The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance”.
(Sustainable development goals: United Nations Development Programme: Goal 16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)
HOW ANIMAL EXPLOITATION UNDERMINES THIS GOAL
Imbalances in Legislation and Law Enforcement: Organizations in positions of power have taken opportunities to leverage their monetary and other provisional means to manipulate judicial and government entities (1). Industries such as meat, dairy, and the feed industry (2), as well as animal sports such as horse racing (3) and hunting (4) are a few that ensure their industry’s interests are favoured. These “big money” industries have strong lobbies that influence government institutions (5) and ensure that their industry receives subsidies (6) and benefits from favourable legislative protections (7). Some players frequently cross the legal boundaries of regulatory oversight (8), and use court procedures to their advantage when called to account (9), even in capitulating through no-fault settlements (10).
Corporate Influences on Land Use: Unequal land opportunities within agriculture (11), accounts for most farmed food being controlled by a select few entities, from use of land to use of seeds (12). Land grabs often begin with forcing people off the land (13), and may involve deforestation (14) and certain illegal activities (15). This is generally followed by the introduction of grazing and/or feed crop farming, which was often the catalyst from the start (16).
Unmitigated Corporate Exploitation: The overexploitation of resources by certain large industries has caused significant damage to biodiversity (17), ecosystems (18), the climate (19), and basic life giving resources (20-21). Without effective government boundaries, powerful industries can exploit ecosystems (22) and harm wildlife while they produce their products (23).
Conflicts Surrounding Basic Resources: Organization may foster strife by collusion (24) or by providing incentives, and subsequently, means to do harm (25). Some industries work under the guise of improving a community, even when the opposite is true (26). Due to intensive water use and pollution caused by certain industries (27), we may see increases in water conflicts (28). Meanwhile, the wildlife trade remains a large threat in both the illegal (29) and legal aspects of the trade (30).
Download the document below to read the full list of the latest citations of evidence as to how animal exploitation undermines the progress of SDG Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Further Reading:
Goal 16 : Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform (United Nations website)
Pollution “World’s top firms cause $2.2tn of environmental damage, report estimates”
– Report for the UN into the activities of the world’s 3,000 biggest companies estimates one-third of profits would be lost if firms were forced to pay for use, loss and damage of environment, Juliette Jowit, Thu 18 Feb 2010 13.19 EST – https://www.theguardian.com
“Power concentration in the global food system and the threat of Big Data” – Mega-mergers and acquisitions have led to an unprecedented concentration of power across the industrial food chain. The food sovereignty of hundreds of millions of people is at stake, and things are likely to take a turn for the worse with the introduction of new technologies and Big Data in agri-food production, distribution and retail. friends of the earth international APRIL | 2019 – https://sustainablebrands.com
Food & Farm “JBS, World’s Largest Meat Company, Mired In Multiple Corruption Scandals In Brazil” – While most of the company’s troubles have been isolated to their home country of Brazil, a recent multi-billion dollar fine has JBS officials selling assets around the world, signaling a change for a company that just two years ago boasted its “aggressive growth strategy.” By Luke Runyon, published August 3, 2017 at 4:46 PM MDT – https://www.kunc.org
“Wildlife trafficking on the rise all across Latin America” – After drugs, guns and human trafficking, wildlife trafficking is the world’s most lucrative organised crime with an annual value of around $20bn (£16bn) each year, according to a 2016 report by Interpol and the UN environment programme. Dan Collyns in Lima, @yachay_dc, Mon 7 Oct 2019 09.17 EDT – https://www.theguardian.com
