Conference pioneers new approaches to animal and environmental protection

April 29, 2025

On 22 November 2024 at the University of Cambridge, the CASJ partnered with The Schweitzer Institute (TSI) to organise a groundbreaking conference that explored the ethical and political advances necessary to start providing animals and nature with effective protection.

A key theme of the conference was the proposal for a governmental body, such as an Animal Protection Commission (APC), to enshrine consideration for nonhumans into government policy-making. The APC concept has been a long-standing core project of the CASJ, and in the past year we have started an exciting collaboration with the TSI on this critical reform.

We were honoured to hear illuminating lectures from seven eminent experts in the fields of animal and environmental ethics and politics.

• Professor John Nolt discussed the critical analysis of anthropocentrism that he undertook during his 2024 Schweitzer Research Fellowship at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge.
• Dr Jonathan M Hoffmann of Witten/Herdecke University, on institutional means to enhance the consideration of animals and other affected entities.
• Dr Dan Lyons of the CASJ on how his advocacy and research experience underpins the Centre’s focus on institutionalising animal representation in government as an essential step to tackling animal cruelty.
• Dr Penny Hawkins from the RSPCA on the experience she has gained through her work on the ‘Animal Welfare Surveillance’ report while on the Liaison Group of UK Animal Welfare Bodies, and membership of the Animal Sentience Committee
• Professor Jane Holder, University College London, on the intersection between animal law and environmental law in the UK, exploring how the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 challenges anthropocentric assumptions and introduces new perspectives on environmental governance.
• Professor Robin Attfield from Cardiff University, on the ethics of the climate crisis
• Dr Jan Deckers from Newcastle University: ‘Is veganism morally required to protect global health?’

One of the most fascinating insights to emerge concerned the ineluctable relationship between the protection of wild animals and the protection of nature and the wider environment. For example, Professor Holder observed:

‘As Jane Goodall argues, drastic loss of biodiversity in the UK, and beyond, can best be halted and reversed by focussing upon individual animals and their communities, and ensuring security and flourishing of their lives in particular places.’

In a similar vein, Dr Hawkins’ paper examined ‘how animal welfare can be integrated into broader environmental governance’.

This feedback after the conference summed up its impact:

‘Well done for a great conference. The most food for thought I’ve gained for a long time. Very well done and please pass that on

Specifically a great combination of topics – promoting animal protection and environment – which crossed over nicely (to about the extent that reflects the state of the disciplines) and nicely reflected the Schweitzerean ethos.’

Videos of the lectures are available here, and the papers appear in Volume III of the Schweitzer Institute Journal which is downloadable from here. The date for the 2025 TSI/CASJ conference is provisionally set for 21st November. We’d like to thank all the speakers and the great audience of leading animal advocates and academic experts for helping to create a truly inspiring event.