Three perspectives to integrate animal interests into the global Sustainable Development Agenda

Abstract

Including animal interests in sustainable development policies and practices is gaining attention as a strategy to address key sustainability challenges. However, practical frameworks and guidance for achieving this integration remain scarce. This paper analyses how animal interests can be effectively incorporated into the global Sustainable Development Agenda by leveraging a variety of moral perspectives. It explores the challenges and opportunities of reconciling anthropocentric, sentientistic, and ecocentric viewpoints and advocates for a holistic approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. Despite inherent conflicts and limitations, the study argues that meaningful integration requires dialogue, compromise, and policy solutions that balance moral considerations with practical feasibility. By assessing the strengths, limitations, and synergies of these perspectives, this paper offers a theoretical foundation to inform policy development and guide future research on integrating animal interests into sustainability frameworks.