A recent study conducted by the nonprofit Animal Outlook has brought attention to a critical omission in sustainability policies among major US corporations: the failure to address the role of animal agriculture in climate change. Despite increasing commitments to climate action, the report found that none of the publicly available sustainability policies of the top 100 highest-earning companies in the US include measures to reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture.
Animal agriculture accounts for over 16.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to estimates cited by the organization. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has also highlighted the sector’s role in producing 37% of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential 20 times greater than carbon dioxide.
“We cannot ignore the huge and devastating impact animal agriculture is having on our planet”
Animal Outlook, which is a national animal advocacy nonprofit, has launched the “Fight for Our Future” campaign to encourage organizations to adopt plant-based purchasing policies as a way to address this oversight. These policies could include prioritizing vegan food options in workplace meals, team events, and other corporate spending to align with broader sustainability goals.
Jenny Canham, director of outreach and engagement at Animal Outlook, stated, “It’s promising that organizations are doing more to take responsibility for the climate crisis, however, there is currently a missing piece to this puzzle. We cannot ignore the huge and devastating impact animal agriculture is having on our planet.”
The organization’s report also noted that while 50 environmental nonprofits were contacted, none confirmed having a plant-based purchasing policy in place. In contrast, 20 animal protection nonprofits, including Mercy for Animals and Animal Equality, have pledged to spend their internal budgets exclusively on vegan food as part of the campaign’s “Gold Pledge.”
Local policy changes and advocacy efforts
Animal Outlook has also been advocating for broader policy changes. For instance, the campaign promotes the adoption of plant-based food policies at high-profile events, such as the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. A petition for a vegan Olympics has already been launched. Policy changes at the local government level also reflect growing momentum. In March 2024, Los Angeles County passed a motion requiring all departmental food procurement to be plant-based by default, and in July 2024, West Hollywood implemented a similar policy for council-run events.
Canham added, “By prioritizing internal spending on vegan food, organizations can not only ensure that options are available for everyone, but also meet their sustainability goals more effectively and take action for animals. Vegan food should play a leading role in any sustainability efforts. Now that we know better, we can do better.”
