May 2025

Abstract: Fungal diseases in fish pose great risks to aquaculture and wild fisheries, which usually have severe economic and ecological consequences. This chapter explores the prevalence, causes, and diagnosis of fungal infections in fish, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of their effects on aquatic systems. Fungal diseases are usually opportunistic pathogens such as Saprolegnia and Aphanomyces, which strike at weakened or stressed fish. Environmental factors such as poor quality of water, overcrowding, and injuries contribute to an increased susceptibility to such infections. The chapter outlines the clinical signs and pathological features of fungal diseases, including skin erosions, fin erosion, and systemic infections, which are some of the highly debilitating health issues for fish. The diagnostic methods explained in detail are the macroscopic examination up to elaborate techniques such as microscopy, culture techniques, and molecular diagnostics with a focus on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All these methods allow the correct identification of fungal pathogens and distinguish them from other microbial diseases. Sampling protocols and laboratory handling techniques will be discussed to ensure integrity at the specimen level. Strategies like improving the quality of water, removal of stresses, and antifungal treatments have been featured for effective management of outbreaks. In this chapter, the knowledge of fungal pathogenesis, environmental management, and diagnostic studies has been integrated to equip aquaculture practitioners and researchers with the tools to identify and control fungal diseases. It thus highlights a proactive approach for controlling diseases in fish populations to improve fish welfare and sustainability in aquaculture.

Sahu, A. K., Kumar, V., Udgata, S. K., & Das, B. K. (2025). Diagnostic techniques for fish fungal diseases. In B. K. Das & V. Kumar (Eds.), Laboratory techniques for fish disease diagnosis (pp. 227–258). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4620-3_11

Abstract: The increasing demand for seafood across the world is mostly met by aquaculture. However, there are difficulties with fish growth and health monitoring. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) methods presents viable ways to guarantee sustainable aquaculture and improve fish farming methods. AI encompasses the utilization of computer vision with machine learning, which has demonstrated enormous promise in analyzing the huge amounts of data gathered from fish farms. Fish farmers may obtain important insights into fish growth trends, eating habits, and environmental factors, impacting fish health by utilizing AI algorithms. It helps to identify and forecast physiological abnormalities and illnesses, and through their stress biomarkers, these algorithms can predict preventative measures through various models to minimize health problems and lower costs. One of the main uses of AI in aquaculture is the creation of intelligent monitoring platforms. These systems continuously gather data in real-time on temperature, oxygen levels, fish behavioral activity, and water quality using a variety of sensors, cameras, and data analytics tools. With the use of AI algorithms, these data are analyzed to find various deviations from ideal circumstances and promptly notify farmers, enabling them to make the necessary adjustments like changing water parameters, feeding schedules, or treating crops as needed. AI-based models can also help save waste and improve feed management. By analyzing historical data on fish development and feed intake, machine learning algorithms can identify the most effective feed composition and feeding schedules, resulting in higher growth rates and less environmental impact. Identifying and controlling illness is a key component of artificial intelligence in fish farming. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can detect early indicators of illnesses, such as parasite infection or anomalies in fish appearance and changes in behavior, using a CMOS camera through pattern recognition. This improves fish welfare by enabling early disease detection and focused treatment, which could lower the need for overuse of antibiotics and other chemicals. In conclusion, the sustainability of aquaculture is greatly enhanced by using AI techniques in fish development and health status monitoring. Fish farmers can improve their methods, increase production, lessen their impact on the environment, and guarantee the well-being of their farmed fish by utilizing AI’s strengths in data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling. However, the maximum utilization of AI in a sustainable aquaculture sector needs further research, data exchange, and cooperation between scientists, industry players, and legislators.

Panda, S. P., Soren, D., Malakar, P., Kumar, V., & Das, B. K. (2025). Role of artificial intelligence in fish disease modeling and prognosis. In B. K. Das & V. Kumar (Eds.), Laboratory techniques for fish disease diagnosis (pp. 501–538). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4620-3_22

Background: Southeast  Asia  is  a  critical  region  for  animal  advocacy.  Home  to  over 9  billion farmed  land animals, diverse religions, and a myriad of languages and cultural contexts to navigate, the region is a crucial but difficult arena in which to create positive impact for animals — especially in regards to plant-based diet change. Previous research has identified unique advantages and disadvantages of plant-based advocacy in the region. For example, while Western consumers may consider plant-based meat products less healthy due to their processing in factory facilities, this may not be a major health concern for Southeast Asian consumers (Good Growth and GFI, 2024). However, the same study also found  that  only  21%  of  Southeast  Asian  consumers  express  an  intention  to  reduce  meat consumption while the same proportion want to increase their meat intake, particularly of chicken and fish. Still, it is not clear what the most effective messaging strategies are, since most plant-based consumer studies focus on Western contexts. To address this research gap, this study identifies key audiences in Southeast Asia that are most open  to  pro-animal  diet  change,  examines  their  sources  of  influence,  and  pinpoints  which messages  may  resonate  best  with  consumers.  To  arrive  at  our  conclusions,  we  used  a combination of literature review and “social listening” — a method of methodically analysing social media  comments  to  determine  beliefs.  We  analyzed  social  media  discourse  in  six  countries: Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These  findings  present  a  key  opportunity  for  advocates  to  better  understand  how  this  crucial region views plant-based diets and products — more importantly, it demonstrates how they can finetune their strategies to maximize positive impact for animals.

Tsen, A, Manandhar-Richardson, T., Troy, A., & Thompkins, A. (2025). How to message plant-based diets and products in Southeast Asia: A social media analysis. Faunalytics. https://faunalytics.org/plant-based-messaging-in-southeast-asia/

Abstract: This study aimed to measure the Temporal Changes in Impressions (TCI) between animal-based and plant-based food. Participants first rated their hunger, valence, desire to eat again (desire), and satisfaction for a small portion of pasta with one of three types of consommé soup: animal-based, conventional plant-based, or developed high-quality plant-based (first rating phase). Next, during a preload phase, they consumed a larger portion of the same type of pasta and soup. Subsequently, in the second rating phase, they rated the same pasta soup in the same portion size as in the first rating phase. The results showed that eating pasta with animal-based soup reduced hunger more effectively than eating conventional plant-based soup, even though the same quantity was consumed. Furthermore, the conventional plant-based option led to declines in valence and desire over time; these significant changes were not observed with the animal-based soup. Interestingly, no significant differences were found between the animal-based soup and the developed high-quality plant-based soup in any measure. These findings suggest that tracking temporal changes in sensory evaluation offers a useful perspective for understanding how impressions related to satisfaction change over the course of the eating experience. Adopting this temporal perspective may help clarify the differences in consumers’ perceived value between animal- and plant-based foods.

Nishida, Y., Sakurai, M., Ishikawa, Y., Tomi, K., Hirakakiuchi, I., Saito, T., Sato, R., & Wada, Y. (2025). Measuring temporal dynamics of satisfaction differences between animal- and plant-based foods. Appetite, 108163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108163

Abstract: In modern Western societies, consumers are often disconnected from the animal origins of meat, which facilitates meat consumption by reducing empathy towards animals, and feelings of disgust and guilt. Conversely, animal advocates may appeal to meat’s animal origins to evoke moral emotions that discourage meat consumption. This preregistered study investigated the effectiveness of such meat-animal reminders among 421 meat-eating participants from the UK, recruited via Prolific. Participants were randomly exposed to one of three images: a pork chop without animal reminder (control condition), a pork chop paired with a human petting a pig (animal caring appeal) or paired with a human stunning a pig before slaughter (animal cruelty appeal). Based on harm-based accounts of moral judgment, we measured moral emotions oriented to the pig victim (e.g., empathy, sadness), the human perpetrator (e.g., anger, disgust) and the self (e.g., guilt, shame), and examined their effects on participants’ willingness to change pork chop consumption and tendency to justify pork-eating. ANOVA analysis revealed that both animal appeals (vs. control) increased moral emotions, while mediation analyses indicated that these emotions indirectly decreased pork-eating justification and increased willingness for dietary change. The animal cruelty appeal seemed particularly effective by evoking perpetrator- and victim-oriented emotions. However, we also found evidence of counteractive effects on pork-eating justification and willingness for dietary change once moral emotions were controlled for, suggesting moral disengagement. Hedonic motivations to eat meat remain a significant barrier. Future research should further explore interventions that enable consumers to translate moral concerns into lasting dietary change.

Fonseca, R. P., & De Groeve, B. (2025). “Meating” the animal and moral emotions: Exploring animal caring and cruelty appeals for dietary change. Appetite, 212, 108018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108018

Executive summary: Poor nutrition remains a leading preventable risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet the rise of nutrition misinformation on social media complicates public understanding and adherence to evidence-based dietary guidelines. This study aimed to explore the landscape of nutrition misinformation on Instagram by identifying and analysing influential “super-spreaders” who drive misleading dietary narratives. Using social network analysis, 53 key accounts with a combined following exceeding 24 million were categorised into three personas: The Doc, The Rebel and The Hustler. These influencers employ emotional storytelling and exploit claims of authority to promote diets such as keto and carnivore, spread seed oil conspiracies and undermine evidence-based nutrition. Key dissemination strategies identified include fear-mongering, joy-mongering and sprinkling misinformation within broader lifestyle content. 96% of these super-spreaders exhibited clear financial incentives tied to their messaging. The misuse of professional credentials, especially amongst The Doc group, significantly amplifies misinformation’s impact. These findings contribute to a growing body of research on health and nutrition misinformation by offering new insight into the narratives and engagement tactics that drive virality.

Millbank, A., Millbank, L., Malerich, M., Trautmann, L., & Thorton, G. (2025). Nutrition misinformation in the digital age: 2024-2025. Rooted Research. https://rootedresearch.co/publications/nutrition-misinformation-digital-age/

Introduction: In recent years, concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) have expanded beyond its societal implications to include its environmental impacts, particularly water consumption. Headlines have called out the large amounts of water required for cooling AI data centres. However, when compared against the water usage of cattle farming, AI’s demands are a drop in the bucket, paling in comparison. Understanding the big picture is crucial to refocusing efforts on the far greater environmental challenge: livestock farming.In recent years, concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) have expanded beyond its societal implications to include its environmental impacts, particularly water consumption. Headlines have called out the large amounts of water required for cooling AI data centres. However, when compared against the water usage of cattle farming, AI’s demands are a drop in the bucket, paling in comparison. Understanding the big picture is crucial to refocusing efforts on the far greater environmental challenge: livestock farming.

Couture, A. (2025). A drop in the bucket: Comparing the water footprint of AI and the cattle industry. Bryant Research. https://bryantresearch.co.uk/insight-items/comparing-water-footprint-ai/ 

Abstract: Rapid climate change is one of humanity’s most pressing global challenges, and we must urgently address unsustainable practices in all sectors to mitigate its most devastating effects. The pet food sector is a large and growing global industry that feeds about one billion dogs and cats. Moreover, its production is closely linked to the livestock sector, to which at least 25% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to date are attributable, and probably substantially more. Globally, dogs and cats consume 9% of livestock animals. In the US, this rises to 20%. This review collates and analyses studies on the environmental impacts of pet food, and recommends mitigation strategies. All reviewed studies agree that pet food is associated with at least non-negligible environmental impacts that must be accounted for and addressed: in the US, 25–30% of the environmental impacts of animal production have been attributed to companion animal diets. Studies have estimated a wide range of environmental “paw prints” for dog and cat diets; in some cases, the environmental impacts of some canine diets compare to or exceed those of human diets. Within pet food, ingredient selection is the most important factor. The most effective measure we can currently take to mitigate these impacts is to transition to non animal-based (vegan) pet food, where this has been formulated to be nutritionally sound. Such a transition could achieve very significant GHG and land use savings. In wealthy nations with high rates of companion animal guardianship, the benefits of this transition are demonstrably equivalent to one quarter to one third of the environmental benefits achievable through human dietary change. A transition to nutritionally sound vegan pet food represents a significant extant climate change mitigation strategy which warrants immediate implementation.

Nicholles, B., & Knight, A. (2025). The environmental sustainability of meat-based versus vegan pet food. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1569372

Abstract: The current study aimed to identify the sociodemographic and psychological factors that predict an increased willingness to eat cultured meat and plant-based meat alternatives, as well as the consumption of plant-based meat alternatives. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted online among a representative sample of Canadian adults (n = 1,069). Descriptive analyses revealed that the majority of the respondents were either willing or uncertain about trying cultured meat and plant-based meat alternatives, while a minority were not willing to try these alternatives to meat. In terms of sociodemographic factors, being younger, of a more left-leaning political orientation, and having attained a higher education level predicted a greater adoption of meat alternatives. While men reported being more willing to eat cultured meat, women reported consuming a greater number of portions of plant-based meat alternatives. The psychological variable pertaining to our connection with other animals, namely identification with animals, and its dimension of human–animal similarity more specifically, predicted higher willingness to eat cultured meat and plant-based meat alternatives. Our findings confirm the role of age, gender, education, and political orientation in predicting the adoption of meat alternatives in a representative Canadian sample. They also show that feeling more similar to animals predicts these timely outcomes.

Amiot, C. E., Baron, N., & Bastian, B. (2025). Age, gender, education, political orientation, and animal identification predict adoption of meat alternatives in a representative sample. Anthrozoös, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2025.2502239

Abstract: Due to the significant impact of Western diets on the environment, interventions are being trialled in supermarkets, restaurants, and other settings to encourage sustainable food consumption (SFC). The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTTv1) lists and categorises Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), which facilitates the development and understanding of behaviour change interventions. However, its applicability to pro-environmental behaviour change has not been extensively explored. This systematic review uses the BCTTv1 to identify the BCTs that have been previously used to encourage SFC behaviours. Studies were retrieved from Scopus, PSYCInfo, GreenFILE, and the Web of Science Core Collection. Twenty-six interventions across 19 articles were reviewed, enabling the identification of 13 BCTs which were coded using the BCTTv1 and categorised according to their target behaviour and effect size. The most frequently applied BCTs were 12.1 ‘restructuring the physical environment’, which was used in the most effective interventions; 6.2 ‘social comparison’, which was used in interventions with smaller and more unpredictable effects; 5.3 ‘information about social and environmental consequences’; 5.2 ‘salience of consequences’; and 7.1 ‘prompts/cues’. Despite challenges in assessing the BCTs’ effectiveness due to multicomponent interventions and varying effects across different contexts, this review offers recommendations on changing SFC behaviour as well as the applicability of the BCTTv1 for SFC interventions.

Tirion, A. S. C., D’Lima, D., Terlet, J., Rao, R., & Gutman, L. M. (2025). Identifying behaviour change techniques for sustainable food consumption: A systematic review using the BCTTv1. Appetite, 108057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108057

Abstract: Switching to food with a lower environmental footprint has a substantial mitigation potential, but consumers still need significant assistance in making the switch. Ecolabels can help guide consumers towards more sustainable food options at the point of sale, without compromising their freedom of choice. However, the efficiency of ecolabels depends on many factors other than the label itself, including the choice settings (school canteen, hospital cafeteria, work launch room). The current paper investigates the role of two eco-label formats, in the context of a hospital cafeteria, in increasing the sales of low-impact (vs. high-impact) dishes (based on the carbon footprint), while also exploring the role of other factors such as price, dish name (hedonic vs. descriptive), foreign connotation of the dish (regional vs. local)., and dietarian type of the dish (vegan, vegetarian, fish or meat). The results show no statistically significant effect of the experiment. Nevertheless, a directional trend emerges: traffic light labels tended to increase the number of low-impact dishes purchased, while the single logo appeared to have the opposite effect. We further found that the price, dish’s foreign connotation (regional vs non-regional) and dish type have significant direct effects on the participants’ choice. The results are discussed in light of statistical test significance and its implications on our findings. Future research avenues are suggested.

ElHaffar, G., Cardoza, P. A., Fakhry, F., & Dubé, L. (2025). Nudging consumers towards the most environmentally friendly warm dish: A field experiment applying traffic light label and single label interventions in a hospital cafeteria. Appetite, 108054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108054 

Introduction: Food service institutions, which accounted for approximately 56% of total food expenditures in the United States in 2022, are pivotal in shaping dietary habits and promoting more sustainable food choices (ERS, 2022 in Pollicino et al., 2024). Restaurants, canteens, and cafés have an opportunity to influence consumers’ eating habits on a large scale by offering plant-based, environmentally friendly dishes, which not only reduce the demand for animal-based options, but may also inspire changes in retail sales and in-home consumption (Kerslake et al., 2022 in Pollicino et al., 2024, p. 12). This potential ripple effect underscores the significant potential of these institutions to drive widespread change in food consumption patterns.

This case study examines the effort of Coolfood, an initiative of World Resources Institute, which leverages the scale and reach of the food service sector to serve millions of healthier and lower-carbon meals each day. The case highlights the role that collecting data—even imperfect data—can play in acting as a catalyst for action from food service providers. An important lesson drawn here is that compiling the best evidence from academic studies needs to be paired with effective stakeholder engagement and communication to ensure that recommendations are implemented effectively. We spoke with staff at the World Resources Institute and conducted online searches to gather the information included in this report.

Dullaghan, N. (2025a). Plant-based diet-shift initiative case studies: Coolfood. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-coolfood/

Introduction: In 2019, Denmark was swept by a wave of climate protests inspired by Greta Thunberg. These demonstrations, which saw over 100,000 Danish youth take to the streets (Barrett, 2019), played a pivotal role in making climate change a central issue in the 2019 general election (Sorensen, 2019). The public pressure led to a broad political consensus to adopt an ambitious target of reducing carbon emissions by 70% by 2030. This target, originally advocated by Greenpeace, was embraced across the political spectrum. For a couple of years, plant-based food made up only a tiny part of the plans to achieve the target, partly due to the low salience and perceived low tractability of actions in this area in the face of a strong agricultural lobby. However, the facts around agriculture’s impact on the climate and biodiversity crises provided a background for the actions discussed in this case study to give plant-based foods political legitimacy as a solution (according to activist Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark). A key milestone was reached in the government’s 2021 agreement on a green transition of the agricultural sector which proposed to establish a National Action Plan for plant-based food, subsidies for farmers growing crops for human consumption, and a Plant-Based Food Grant.

It has been estimated that capturing just 1-3% of the global plant-based market could generate €600 million to €1.8 billion and create up to 27,000 jobs (National Action Plan, 2023). Health-wise, the government found that if Danes fully embraced climate-friendly dietary guidelines, the country could save up to €1.6 billion annually in healthcare costs while improving public health by increasing healthy life years (Jensen, 2020). Environmentally, shifting to plant-based diets could reduce Denmark’s climate footprint by 31-45%​ (Mance, 2024). While the actions described in this case study could not achieve these outcomes themselves, they show the potential of the shift that these initiatives may be contributing to.

This case study focuses on the Plant-Based Food Grant as the most concrete mechanism to expand both supply and demand of plant-based foods. The case highlights the importance of sequencing policies to achieve incremental success and how to form strategic partnerships across NGOs, industry, and government. The case will also explore the key role of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark as a central node in the network of partnerships across the value chain that allowed policies to receive broad support. We received input from the Vegetarian Society of Denmark and conducted online research to gather information for this case study.

Dullaghan, N. (2025b). Plant-based diet-shift initiative case studies: Denmark’s plant-based food grant. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-denmarks-plant-based-food-grant/

Introduction: Consumers might write out their shopping list before heading to the grocery store, but research from marketing and behavioral economics shows that the retail environment plays a role in shaping what the consumer wants (Harbers et al., 2020). If retailers are willing, they can nudge consumer demand towards plant-based foods that are healthy, green, and kind to animals. Most consumers in developed countries shop for food at large grocery stores (USDA, 2016), so supporting protein diversification at retailers—especially large supermarket chains—is a high-leverage opportunity to encourage plant-based food uptake at scale. Several retailers across Europe are targeting increased plant-based sales, either overall or proportional to animal-based sales (“protein split” goals) within the last five years. For example, all seven major retailers in the Netherlands have committed to achieving at least a 60/40 plant/animal protein split by 2030 (Madre Brava, 2024).

This case study focuses on Lidl, the first European retailer outside the Netherlands to adopt a protein split target. In October 2023, Lidl Germany released its Protein Strategy, including a commitment to achieve a 20/80 plant/animal protein split by 2030. Lidl had already increased their plant-based product range, and placed plant-based items in the meat aisle. With their new Protein Strategy, they also became the first retailer to establish price parity between plant-based and comparable animal-based products.

In the months after introducing their Protein Strategy, Lidl Germany’s plant-based sales increased by over 30% (PlantBasedNews, 2024). Simultaneous or subsequent to Lidl Germany debuting their Protein Strategy, Lidl has committed to a 20/80 protein split by 2030 in at least four other countries of operation, and has introduced price parity in at least five. Following Lidl Germany, price parity has also been adopted by several competitors in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, including Kaufland, Aldi Süd, Penny, BILLA, Jumbo, and Sailing Group (Vegconomist, 2024).

This case study will describe:

• the prerequisites and incentives that needed to be in place before Lidl Germany was positioned to introduce a protein split target;
• the strategies undertaken by advocates to persuade Lidl Germany to introduce its protein split target;
• the ‘best practice’ strategies followed by Lidl Germany to work towards achieving its protein split target.

Throughout this report, “Lidl” will refer to the global entity and we will specify when referencing Lidl Germany or another national unit. Information about Lidl Germany’s Protein Strategy can be found here (n.b.: German language source). This report is informed by interviews with plant-based food advocates working across Europe.

Stevenson, B. (2025a). Plant-based diet-shift initiative case studies: German retailer transitions. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-german-retailer-transitions/

Introduction: This case study focuses on GoodDot, an Indian alternative protein company. Founded in 2016 by Abhishek Sinha and Deepak Parihar, who were motivated by compassion for animals, the company has become one of India’s largest alternative protein businesses by capital raised (GFI India, 2024), and now sells 65,000 plant-based meat substitutes each day.

Plant-based food advocates see promise in alternative proteins, because they could displace meat sales by offering competitor products made with no animal suffering and less environmental impact. The industry is currently concentrated in Western countries, especially the United States. Introducing alternative proteins to neglected geographies—especially places, such as India, where consumers show great interest in the products—requires developing foods suited to local tastes, and could displace meat sales in the areas where meat consumption is growing at the fastest rates.

It can be difficult for alternative protein companies to ensure their products actually displace meat sales, rather than provide a niche luxury good for vegetarians. GoodDot prices some plant-based substitutes cheaper than meat, which alternative protein advocates widely believe will be necessary to lead to meat displacement, and reports that their products have helped at least 12,000 consumers transition to vegetarianism.

We believe GoodDot offers a useful case study for potential entrepreneurs because they have achieved price parity across a range of products and succeeded in a non-Western market, and for philanthropists and other stakeholders interested in meat reduction because they have attempted to track actual meat displacement. Alternative proteins include plant-based meat, like the products GoodDot manufactures from soy and pea, as well as fermented protein (e.g. Quorn) and cultivated meat (a.k.a. clean meat and lab-grown meat). Although this case study focuses on plant-based meat, we hope readers find relevant lessons for other alternative proteins.

This case study has been informed by interviews with Abhishek Sinha, GoodDot’s CEO, as well as public reporting.

Stevenson, B. (2025b). Plant-based diet-shift initiative case studies: GoodDot alternative protein company. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-gooddot-alternative-protein-company/ 

New York City has taken significant steps in advancing plant-based food policies under Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP), focusing on reducing the city’s environmental impact and addressing public health concerns. These initiatives include the introduction of plant-based meals in public schools, hospitals, and other city agencies. The city’s purchasing power, with an annual food budget of approximately $330 million, has been leveraged to promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits, contributing to a 26% reduction in food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2019 to 2022​.

In addition to environmental benefits, these policies aim to improve public health by offering more nutritious meal options. For instance, plant-based meals are now the default choice in many public hospitals, and programs like “Plant-Powered Fridays” in schools are part of a broader strategy to encourage plant-forward diets. These efforts are seen as a model for other cities, demonstrating how government-led initiatives can play a role in promoting sustainability and addressing chronic health issues​. This case study showcases the range of levers available to affect plant-based food choices when government bodies decide to make this a priority.

Dullaghan, N. (2025c). Plant-based diet-shift initiative case studies: New York City. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/plant-based-diet-shift-initiative-case-studies-new-york-city/

Abstract: To inform and encourage responsible consumer choices, the use of sustainability (i.e., health and/or environmental), front-of-package labels on food products is becoming increasingly widespread. While the benefits of a single label are well-documented, less is known about the effects of multi-labelling – when multiple front-of-package labels are displayed on packaging – especially when these labels differ in valence (i.e., positive versus negative) and orientation (i.e., self-oriented versus others-oriented). Through two experimental studies, we examine how consumers respond to multi-labelling in this context. We show that conflicting labels, displaying opposite valences, cause confusion, regardless of their orientation, without affecting purchase intentions. Furthermore, they reduce moral satisfaction when both are others-oriented, which decreases purchase intentions. Finally, same-valence labels, regardless of their orientation, do not impact the mediating psychological mechanisms (moral satisfaction and consumer confusion) but instead directly influence purchase intentions, positively when both labels are others-oriented and negatively when the labels differ in orientation. In line with Kahneman’s dual process theory, consumers process multi-labelling differently depending on labels valence and orientation: similar-valence labels seem to prompt automatic processing (System 1), whereas opposite-valence labels appear to require more deliberate cognitive processing (System 2). These findings provide new insights on multi-labelling, offering practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to optimize labelling strategies for health and environmental sustainability.

Dorisse, A., Charry, K., & Parguel, B. (2025). When multi-labelling backfires: The influence of sustainability FOP labels valence and orientation. Appetite, 108055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108055

Takeaways: Subsidies claim to be about protecting the little guy and encouraging competition, but because of a vicious cycle created by the interplay between grants and political influence, the exact opposite tends to be true. Heavily subsidized companies like Riverbend Meats, Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company, Prestage Farms, and Greater Omaha Packing Company — and their politically connected leadership — can pay off politicians to make sure the rules remain in their favor. This concentration of power stifles competition, harms consumers with higher prices and lower quality, and undermines the livelihood of smaller farmers.

Small farmers aren’t the only losers in this system either: animals lose when workers have no say over how the animals are raised because of the tight grip of giant companies over the meatpacking industry; the environment loses when small farmers are forced to monocrop and only plant subsidized crops, rather than crops most suited to their environment or most needed in the market; taxpayers lose when we ultimately have to foot the bill twice — first through the subsidies that disproportionately favor large agribusinesses and second through the higher prices the large agribusinesses ultimately create.

Not only do USDA grants fail to promote competition like they claim, they go a step further in that they actively shape the industry so those at the top stay at the top and those at the bottom can’t compete on a level playing field. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for advocating for policies that genuinely support animal welfare, sustainable agriculture, and fairness — both in the competitive landscape and in keeping prices down for consumers.

Roseman, A. (2025). Big ag, big bucks: How USDA subsidies feed market inequality and political influence. Faunalytics. https://faunalytics.org/usda-grant-analysis/

Executive summary: Several organisations, including Rethink Priorities, Welfare Footprint, Animal Ask, and others, are conducting a year-long project to guide the strategy of the fish welfare movement for the coming decades. Building on previous work’s interest and work in European farmed fish welfare  by advocacy groups and expert scientists.

As part of this project, Animal Ask conducted a systematic review on the economics of fish production in European aquaculture. Our database searches resulted in over 23,000 scientific publications and industry, government, and NGO reports from countries across Europe. After scanning the title and abstracts of all of these, we extracted economic data and other insights from around 600 publications.

This report contains the detailed results from this review. We provide economic data on many aspects of salmonid, bass and bream, and carp production across Europe. We focus on levels of profitability, drivers of production costs, price transmission, and market power.

Ryba, R. (2025). Economics of fish farming in Europe. Animal Ask. https://www.animalask.org/post/the-economics-of-fish-farming-and-fish-welfare-in-europe

Executive Summary: Several organisations, including Rethink Priorities, Welfare Footprint, Animal Ask, and others, are conducting a year-long project to guide the strategy of the fish welfare movement for the coming decades.

As part of this project, Animal Ask conducted mapping of the industry and supply chain for fish production in European aquaculture.

In this report, we present key results from this industry and supply chain mapping. The goal of this report is to provide fish welfare advocates with an easy-to-understand guide to the aquaculture industry and supply chain in Europe. 

Specifically, we examine the following sources of information:

• Production. Numbers of fish farmed across Europe, as well as common on-farm practices, can help inform which countries are the highest priorities for fish welfare advocacy. We provide country profiles for 16 fish-producing countries/territories in Europe.
• Trade. Import and export information can help identify points of leverage across national borders. For example, pressure on retailers in a trout-importing country might be more effective in some cases than pressure in the trout-producing country.
• Certification. Information on rates of certification (e.g. Aquaculture Stewardship Council) can help identify which areas of production might be higher priority for campaigns and how to best run those campaigns.

Carpendale, M., & Bridgwater, G. (2025). Mapping the industry and supply chain for farmed fish in Europe. Animal Ask. https://www.animalask.org/post/mapping-the-industry-and-supply-chain-for-farmed-fish-in-europe 

Abstract: In the animal ethics literature, speciesism is defined in all sorts of manners. It is construed as a behaviour or a philosophical view, as necessarily anthropocentric or possibly centred on other species, as involving the idea that species membership is morally significant or compatible with the rejection of that idea, as necessarily immoral or possibly ethically acceptable. Up to a point, this variety is unobjectionable. We are at liberty to stipulate the sense in which we use words. But this is true only within limits. Some definitions are good and some bad, depending on whether or not they meet certain conditions. In this contribution, I define speciesism as unequal treatment based on species and argue that this definition fares better than extant accounts insofar as it satisfies two desiderata: matching a good account of racism and making the concept of speciesism most useful.

Jaquet, F. (2025). How to define speciesism. The Journal of Ethics, 29(3), 477–496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10892-024-09508-2

Abstract: This study investigates the fundamental question: Who really are to be accorded rights—humans or nonhuman animals? Against the backdrop of ethical, legal, and philosophical traditions, the study critically analyzes the ontological basis of moral rights and examines whether nonhuman animals possess the requisite attributes to qualify as right-holders. Drawing on conceptual analysis and philosophical critique, the study evaluates various traditional criteria proposed for ascribing moral rights—including species membership, personhood, rationality, language, and divine endowment—and exposes their insufficiencies in providing an inclusive and defensible justification for rights attribution. The research adopts a normative and analytic methodology rooted in moral philosophy and deontological ethics, particularly the subject-of-a-life criterion as articulated by Tom Regan. This criterion posits that moral rights are due to beings who possess conscious experiences, preferences, emotions, memory, and a sense of future. The study extends this analysis to nonhuman animals, drawing from empirical evidence, common language, behavioural patterns, anatomical similarities, and evolutionary continuities. Findings reveal that many nonhuman animals possess the attributes necessary for moral considerability and that denying them rights on the basis of species alone constitutes unjustifiable speciesism. The significance of this research lies in its robust philosophical foundation for extending moral rights beyond human boundaries. Ultimately, this study calls for an expansion of moral rights beyond the human sphere, proposing a more inclusive ethical framework grounded in respect for all sentient beings.

Metuonu, I. C. (2025). Reassessing rights beyond the human species: the ethics of inclusion. Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences Journal of Applied and Physical Sciences, 2(3), 40–46. https://doi.org/10.63561/japs.v2i3.812

Abstract: This article examines the landscape of animal advocacy in Egypt, a nascent and growing field in one of Africa’s largest economies and most densely populated countries. It focuses on three types of animal advocacy: 1) stray animal welfare, 2) wildlife conservation, and 3) farmed animal welfare. The paper critically analyses current practices and trends in each of these areas, highlighting the main challenges and opportunities facing the growth of the movement. Our research draws on insights from interviews with active animal welfare organizations, situating their practical experiences, daily operational struggles, as well as instances of success, within Egypt’s wider socio-economic context. The research identifies socio-cultural perceptions, legal, and financial obstacles as the primary challenges to the movement’s growth. Additionally, our research suggests that advocacy for farmed animal welfare represents an underfunded and underexplored area of study in Egypt and north Africa, which stands to benefit from collective efforts to mobilize funds, build awareness, and engage communities, particularly younger communities. We conclude by proposing key recommendations for the sustainable growth of the animal advocacy movement, ensuring it is integrated into both institutional and local social practices. We believe this research fills a critical knowledge gap and has significant potential to inspire further studies from the region.

Moussa, Y., & Emam, W. (2025). Exploring the landscape of animal advocacy in Egypt: Insights into stray, wildlife, and farmed animal rights. WellBeing International. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/sm_protection_gen/9/ 

Introduction: Each month, our Faunalytics Index provides a round-up of data, statistics, and facts gleaned from the most recent research we’ve covered in our library. Our aim is to give you a quick overview of some of the most eye-catching and informative bits of data that could help you be more effective in your advocacy for animals.

If you want to know more about any given statistic, follow the links below, read the source articles, and dive deeper into the issues.

This month’s Faunalytics Index provides facts and stats about the decline of fur farming in China, the damage fireworks can do to wild animal welfare, the scale of global duck slaughter, and more.

orzechowski, karol. (2025). Faunalytics Index – May 2025. Faunalytics. https://faunalytics.org/faunalytics-index-may-2025/

Introduction: In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Anima International closed its Russian branch which I had been a part of. Like myself, many Russian animal advocates were relocating to neighboring countries. I saw this as a chance to explore these regions as new areas to help animals.

I focused on the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia). These regions share several characteristics: a post-Soviet heritage, growing populations, increasing prosperity, and – critically for our work – a rapidly industrializing animal agriculture and rising meat consumption.

In this article, I will share our experiences building animal advocacy communities in Central Asia and the Caucasus. I’ll cover:

Why we chose these countries, their socio-political context, and animal agriculture landscape

Our decision to use organizing events as a movement-building tool in those regions

Case studies and learnings from our work in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan

I hope that by sharing the problems we faced, the things that helped us succeed, and some useful tips, I can help others who want to start – or support – animal advocacy initiatives in places where it is still new.

Koretsky, D. (2025). Movement seeds: Supporting early-stage local animal advocacy in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Anima International. https://animainternational.org/blog/central-asia-and-caucasus-movement-building

Abstract: The data is unequivocal: British farmers, consumers, and animal advocates are united in their demand to end the import of animal products produced to standards illegal here in the UK. Our latest research reveals that a staggering 92% of livestock farmers and 85% of arable farmers back policies restricting these low-welfare imports. This cross-sector consensus, mirrored by 84% of the public, underscores a fundamental ethical stance.

Anon. (2025). Everyone agrees: It’s time to end low-welfare imports. Bryant Research. https://bryantresearch.co.uk/insight-items/end-low-welfare-imports/ 

Abstract: This essay explores the projected trajectory of animal welfare legislation over the next fifty years, with a comparative focus on the European Union and the United States. It argues that by 2072, Western European countries will have made significant legislative advancements recognizing the moral status of animals, while the United States will experience a slower, more fragmented progression. The analysis identifies key factors influencing legal change, including democratization, scientific research, public awareness, and philosophical advocacy. Conversely, obstacles such as capitalism, the legal classification of animals as property, and industrial farming practices are shown to impede reform, particularly in the U.S. The essay examines current legislative models, landmark legal cases, and emerging policies to support its predictions. Ultimately, it concludes that Europe’s ethical and institutional approach to animal rights will position it as a global leader in animal welfare law, leaving the United States struggling to reconcile its economic framework with evolving moral imperatives.

Shakhbazyan, A. (2025). Legal futures: the diverging paths of animal welfare in the EU and United States. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5370662 

Summary: Disruptive climate protests have gained widespread attention in recent years, yet their impact on the political system remains under explored. While climate protests can raise awareness and influence public discourse, it is less clear whether they also shift electoral preferences, through increasing support for pro-climate parties or triggering a backlash that benefits anti-climate parties. This report analyses voting intention polls taken on 916 different days from the UK, Sweden, and Germany over a two-year period. Our findings show that in all three countries, climate protests have a modest but measurable effect in a pro-climate direction, increasing voting intention for green and more environmentally conscious parties. This suggests that disruptive protests may have an important impact on electoral dynamics, with potential implications for future climate policy.

Ostarek, M., Scheuch, E., Nadel, S., & Rogers, C. (2025). Protest and the ballot box. Social Change Lab. https://www.socialchangelab.org/protest-and-the-ballot-box