Animalweb’s Dr David Marlin joined international experts from across horseracing, equine welfare and sustainability at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Climate Change and Sustainability Summit, held in Porto, Portugal, on 13-14 July.
Presentations and video recordings from the Summit’s Business Programme are now available to watch online, including David’s contribution examining the impact of extreme weather on horses and equestrian sport.
Climate change, horse welfare and sustainable sport
The wider Summit brought together specialists from the international racing industry alongside experts in science, sustainability, welfare and other major sports.
The Business Programme explored four key areas:
- Prevalence and Impact of Extreme Weather Events
- Horse Welfare and Sustainability
- The Sustainable Sporting Venue: Energy, Land, Water and Biodiversity
- Engaging Stakeholders, Fans and the Public in Racing’s Sustainability Journey
The Horse Welfare and Sustainability session included contributions from Alan Creighton of the Irish Equine Centre, Chris Riggs of the Equine Welfare Research Foundation and Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Professor Richard Newton, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, University of Cambridge.
Other presentations considered how sporting venues can manage energy, land and water use, the importance of biodiversity and natural capital, and how the racing industry can engage its stakeholders and audiences as it responds to environmental challenges.
Click here to watch the IFHA Climate Change and Sustainability Summit video recordings on YouTube
David’s presentation forms part of Session One: Prevalence and Impact of Extreme Weather Events, which looks at the growing challenges posed by extreme weather and what they mean for horse welfare and the racing industry.
David appears in the Session One recording alongside Katie Carr, Head of Environmental Sustainability for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), and James Mizzi, Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy for The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC).
