SentientBCA

Abstract

This project aims to develop a sentientist benefit-cost analysis (BCA) that accounts for animal welfare in policy evaluation. Sentience, defined as the capacity for awareness and feelings, is central to moral consideration. While the European Union recognizes animals as sentient, economic evaluations remain anthropocentric, failing to quantify their well-being. This project seeks to integrate animal welfare into policy assessments through four work packages (WPs).

WP1 (led by Romain Espinosa, CNRS, CIRED) focuses on creating an animal welfare score based on the Five Domains framework, similar to human QALYs. Experts will evaluate different welfare states, enabling quantification on a 0-1 scale (AQALY). WP2 (led by Bob Fischer, Rethink Priorities and Texas State University), tackles interspecies welfare comparisons, using neural ratios and behavioral indicators to weight different species' experiences. WP3 (led by Matt Adler, Duke University) develops a social welfare function (SWF) to integrate human and animal well-being, addressing ethical challenges like equity, population ethics, and negative well-being. WP4 (led by Nicolas Treich) implements sentientist BCA, applying it to policies such as climate change, conservation, and food taxation.

This interdisciplinary project aims to influence policymakers by providing robust economic tools to evaluate policies' impacts on animals and humans. Given the increasing recognition of animal welfare, the research could shape future regulations and corporate social responsibility practices.

Project Dates: October 2024 - October 2029

Contact in TSE: Nicolas Treich