World Horse Welfare launches sustainability strategy
“Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment” – Roly Owers.
The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new sustainability strategy, setting out its commitment to be environmentally sustainable.
The strategy was announced at the World Horse Welfare Annual Conference 2024 on 7 November, a year on from the charity’s first conference focused on horses and the environment.
Eight overarching goals, centred around the charity’s four activities of care, research, education, and influence, are set out in the document, which was produced with pro bono support from sustainability consultancy White Griffin.
The strategy also includes a roadmap of commitments World Horse Welfare will make when carrying out its work in the UK and around the world.
In the UK, the charity plans to launch land management projects at its farms to make them more sustainable, including adopting and advocating for the responsible use of equine drugs, such as targeted deworming.
Internationally, the charity plans to work with communities to understand the impact of climate change to help protect the welfare of horses during droughts and other periods of extreme weather.
Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment.
“This strategy focuses upon the ways in which we will ensure environmental sustainability is embedded in our own operations, as well as our research, education and influencing work.
“We are at the beginning of our journey into these complex connections, and we do not have all the answers. But we are committed to learning – and crucially, acting – to move forward towards a world that is kinder for people, the environment and of course horses.”
The full Environmental Welfare Strategy can be read here.
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