Sidmouth: The Donkey Sanctuary to attend Glasgow COP26 climate summit

The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth will take part in the UN Climate Change Conference 'COP26' in Glasgow next week.

The charity will highlight how working donkeys help those in lower to middle income countries 'build resilience' to climate change, as extreme weather such as flooding and droughts becomes more and more common.

For example, donkeys and mules were able to collect and deliver clean water and supplies after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

It will also 'work to ensure the health and safety of working animals are included in negotiations and pledges made at COP26'.

Ian Cawsey, Director of Advocacy & Campaigns at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: "At COP26 governments need to consider three key issues about donkeys.

"Firstly, they help create the sustainable livelihoods desired; secondly, donkeys are as vulnerable to climate change as anyone else in the communities they support so must be included in disaster planning, and thirdly, donkeys and mules are key to emergency response and recovery plans.

"With over 40 million working donkeys worldwide someone needs to speak for them, which is what The Donkey Sanctuary team will be doing at COP26."