Papers by Margaret Hegwood
Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2024
In recent years, many studies analyzed the environmental, health and economic implications of the... more In recent years, many studies analyzed the environmental, health and economic implications of the
production and consumption of different foods – and, on this basis, evaluated their sustainability.
However, associated impacts on animals have remained largely unexamined and existing assessment
approaches are still immature and often lack reflection on their normative assumptions and resulting
implications. As animal welfare concerns increase, this represents a shortcoming, leaving a critical
sustainability issue without due consideration. To address this, we develop a conceptual framework that
guides the key decisions for assessing animal welfare impacts of foods. The framework is derived from
an integrative literature review and revised following external feedback from expert focus groups. It
bridges the research fields of food system modeling, animal welfare science and animal ethics and can
guide researchers in developing assessment approaches and assessing animal welfare impacts of foods,
from individual food items to whole diets. The framework also directs transparent communication of
the most important assessment decisions. We outline key considerations for animal welfare assessments
of foods, highlight associated challenges and discuss quality criteria as well as technical and normative
strategies to address them. Our contribution provides a basis for future research to integrate animal
welfare into sustainability evaluations of food and investigate tradeoffs and synergies with
environmental, social or economic issues. Following this framework in future assessments facilitates
the integration of animal welfare into food-related policy assessments and public decisions.
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Papers by Margaret Hegwood
production and consumption of different foods – and, on this basis, evaluated their sustainability.
However, associated impacts on animals have remained largely unexamined and existing assessment
approaches are still immature and often lack reflection on their normative assumptions and resulting
implications. As animal welfare concerns increase, this represents a shortcoming, leaving a critical
sustainability issue without due consideration. To address this, we develop a conceptual framework that
guides the key decisions for assessing animal welfare impacts of foods. The framework is derived from
an integrative literature review and revised following external feedback from expert focus groups. It
bridges the research fields of food system modeling, animal welfare science and animal ethics and can
guide researchers in developing assessment approaches and assessing animal welfare impacts of foods,
from individual food items to whole diets. The framework also directs transparent communication of
the most important assessment decisions. We outline key considerations for animal welfare assessments
of foods, highlight associated challenges and discuss quality criteria as well as technical and normative
strategies to address them. Our contribution provides a basis for future research to integrate animal
welfare into sustainability evaluations of food and investigate tradeoffs and synergies with
environmental, social or economic issues. Following this framework in future assessments facilitates
the integration of animal welfare into food-related policy assessments and public decisions.
production and consumption of different foods – and, on this basis, evaluated their sustainability.
However, associated impacts on animals have remained largely unexamined and existing assessment
approaches are still immature and often lack reflection on their normative assumptions and resulting
implications. As animal welfare concerns increase, this represents a shortcoming, leaving a critical
sustainability issue without due consideration. To address this, we develop a conceptual framework that
guides the key decisions for assessing animal welfare impacts of foods. The framework is derived from
an integrative literature review and revised following external feedback from expert focus groups. It
bridges the research fields of food system modeling, animal welfare science and animal ethics and can
guide researchers in developing assessment approaches and assessing animal welfare impacts of foods,
from individual food items to whole diets. The framework also directs transparent communication of
the most important assessment decisions. We outline key considerations for animal welfare assessments
of foods, highlight associated challenges and discuss quality criteria as well as technical and normative
strategies to address them. Our contribution provides a basis for future research to integrate animal
welfare into sustainability evaluations of food and investigate tradeoffs and synergies with
environmental, social or economic issues. Following this framework in future assessments facilitates
the integration of animal welfare into food-related policy assessments and public decisions.