Plant-based Councils is an Animal Rising campaign that calls on UK councils to take climate action by promoting plant-based eating to their residents and to lead by example with 100% plant-based internal catering.
Alongside other Animal Rising projects, we aim to achieve the necessary transition to a plant-based food system to address the climate crisis and free up vast amounts of land.
Rewilding the freed-up land and ocean will create space for nature to return, leading to a reduction in the levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and restoration of habitats for native animal species to bounce back. This solution is the most effective answer to the climate and nature emergencies.
The community-based and volunteer-driven Plant-based Councils campaign is accessible to everyone across the country - we can all take action in our own local councils.
With every council that makes a plant-based transition, the need for a plant-based food system is further legitimised and becomes better understood. The wider community will look to councils and other institutions for leadership, and be inspired to make plant-based changes themselves.
1. Ensure food and drink provided at all internal meetings and events is 100% plant-based and prioritise seasonal British produce to support our farmers.
2. Implement a Plant-Based Action Plan to promote and prioritise plant-based eating wherever the council has influence.
3. Call on national government to support the transition towards a plant-based food system.
We ask that councils take action on the climate and nature emergencies by taking steps to:
Cllr Ian Middleton
Green Party, Oxfordshire County Council
“These are not changes we are making for ourselves, but for future generations. This is a very minor change that sends a powerful message to the people we represent that we take tackling climate change seriously and are prepared to play our part as community leaders”.
Cllr Scott Patient
Labour, Deputy Leader, Calderdale Council
Emphasising the role the council plays in influencing decisions made by residents, businesses, and institutions across the borough, Cllr. Patient said:
“As a cabinet we really do believe we should be leading by example”
Cllr Duncan Wood
Labour, Lead Councillor for Climate Change, Exeter City Council
"I am asking council to play a role in raising awareness of the benefits of plant-based foods, to ourselves, our families and our planet, and in our role as civic leaders, doing what we can to support the changes we as a society need to make. We need to lead the way."
Cllr Liz Leffman
Liberal Democrat, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council
“I am not a vegan or a vegetarian myself and neither are many of my Cabinet colleagues. Nevertheless, I think it is right that we at Oxfordshire County Council will serve plant-based food only at the small number of events that are catered for each year at County Hall.”
MAP OF CAMPAIGNS
Get in touch to join one of the existing groups shown below, and if your council doesn't appear on the map then we can help you to start a local campaign!
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This Animal Rising campaign is supported by ProVeg UK and Plant-Based Health Professionals, two brilliant organisations at the forefront of helping people eat better food.
