Philip has spent many years working with the United Nations on food systems transformation, animal welfare and the environment. As Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming Philip has always issued a compelling call to action for Food Systems Transformation, and his focus has been to advocate for the protection of human, animal and environmental health and well-being under a One Health approach to secure a healthy future for us all.
UNITED NATIONS FOOD SYSTEMS ADVISORY BOARD
At the invitation of UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J Mohammed, at the end of 2024, Philip was appointed a member of the newly established United Nations Food Systems Advisory Group.
This appointment was in recognition of Philip’s influential role in the global food system community and his significant contribution to the 2021 United Nations Food System Summit (UNFSS) and the UNFSS+2 Stocktaking Moment. The Advisory Board has been established to “provide valuable insights, strategic guidance, and act as a powerful advocacy force towards UNFSS+4 and beyond’
The important UNFSS+4 Stocktaking Moment hosted by the governments of Ethiopia and Italy took place on July 28th-29th in Ethiopia. Under the watchful eye of Stefanos Fotiou, Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and Director FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals.
Philip attended the UNFSS Stocktake in Ethiopia and delivered a clear message: the future of food must feed people first, within planetary boundaries, recognising the interconnectedness of the health and welfare of people and animals.
FMCG CEO Magazine
In the latest edition of FMCG CEO magazine, Stefanos Fotiou, Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub looks at the importance of food systems transformation, and how the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub supports business leaders to help redefine supply chains, support regenerative practices, and inspire healthier, fairer food cultures.
Building on this theme, Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming International looks at why the UNFSS+4 signals a turning point for business leadership. His article argues there is a strong business case for transitioning to nature-friendly, sustainable practices: food systems today are not only the single largest cause of animal suffering worldwide but are the leading driver of biodiversity loss.
United Nations Food Systems Champion
In 2021, Philip was appointed as a United Nations (UN) Food Systems Champion/ for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. “I am deeply honoured to have been nominated by the UN Food Systems Summit to represent animal welfare organisations in Europe and beyond as a Food Systems Champion and I am truly delighted to accept,” said Philip on accepting the role.
“It has never been so important for humanity, for animals and for all life on Earth to manage our food systems in a genuinely sustainable way. Rest assured of my passion and resolve to further the aims of the Summit, now and in the future, as we all seek to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
Philip continued his role as UN Ambassadorial ‘Champion’ through 2022 and 2023 and participated in the UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking event in Rome , where the UN Secretary-General António Guterres sounded the alarm saying, “Global food systems are broken — and billions of people are paying the price. More than 780 million people are going hungry while nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted. More than three billion cannot afford healthy diets…Broken food systems are not inevitable. They are the result of choices we have made. There is more than enough food in the world to go around.”
WORKING WITH UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
In 2020 World Environment Day, 5th June coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic. Advocating at the highest levels, on 4th June, Philip spoke with Inger Anderson, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme about biodiversity and our food system. During the fascinating discussion, Philip said: “The future of food is regenerative farming. Farming in a way that produces food in harmony with nature.”
Since that time, Philip has also been delighted to write joint Op-eds and blogs with UNEP Leaders, for example Penguins Are Key Indicators of the Ocean’s Health in US Time magazine with Leticia Carvalho, formerly Head of the Marine and Freshwater Branch of UNEP. Also, Nitrogen: How diet and food waste are key to tackling one of the great pollutants of our time in The Scotsman with Leticia and Collective Action For Our Oceans: From Nairobi to Stockholm to Lisbon and Onwards as a guest blog.
joint Op-ed with Susan Gardner, Head of Ecosystems at UNEP
Philip was recently delighted to write a special joint Op-ed with Susan Gardner, Head of Ecosystems at UNEP, for World Oceans Day 8th June, 2025 which was shared across joint social media platforms.
Helpful Links
- Compassion in World Farming actively engages with the UN
- Sustainable development – transforming food systems and protecting animals.
- Compassion in World Farming engages in the topic of nitrogen waste and pollution
- Advocating for the reduction of antibiotic use in livestock.
- We need a One Health approach for reimagining the global food system.
- Managed sustainably, livestock systems help biodiversity and soil health.
- The welfare of animals is intrinsically linked to human and planetary health.
- Compassion in World Farming – COP29 Climate Conference Engagement