On 24/07/24 at Hackney’s Full Council meeting, residents urged the council to take climate action on food by switching to 100% plant-based catering for internal meetings and events and sign the Plant Based Treaty [1][2].
The deputation outlined the climate impact of meat and dairy and the benefits of switching to fully plant-based catering at internal council meetings [1].
In response, Councillor Mete Coban, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport said that Hackney will have fully plant-based catering by 2030 [1].
Residents who attended the meeting were disappointed, saying the change needed to happen sooner.
The same evening, Calderdale council committed to 100% plant-based internal catering [3]. Other UK councils have made similar commitments, including Exeter City, Oxfordshire County, Oxford City and Cambridge City Councils [4].
Hackney residents Louisa Hillwood and Natalia Phillips presented a deputation, signed by eight other residents, at the Full Council meeting on 24.07.24. They highlighted that Hackney’s Climate Action Plan recognises plant-based eating as the most sustainable food choice and outlined the climate impact of meat and dairy [1]. The deputees said that Hackney has a responsibility to champion plant-based eating by serving only plant-based food at its internal meetings and by signing the Plant Based Treaty [1].
Ms Hillwood, a resident of Stoke Newington, also spoke at Full Council in November 2023, where Councillor Mete Coban, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport raised concerns regarding the suitability of plant-based food for the diversity of Hackney’s communities [5].
Ms Hillwood addressed these concerns in Wednesday’s meeting, telling the council:
“I grew up in Australia but my family is largely British - meat and dairy is huge in both cultures . . . But there came a point a few years ago when I was ready to acknowledge that I could choose food that was far better for the planet, for animals and for me. And I could, if I wanted, eat exactly the same types of foods as I was before. I could still shop at the same supermarkets, have meals with my family, and celebrate the holidays and traditions of my culture.” [1]
Councillor Mete Coban responded by saying that the council would have 100% plant-based catering by 2030 [1].
Plant-Based Councils and Plant Based Treaty supporters in attendance were disappointed with Councillor Coban’s response, saying that the change needed to happen sooner [2][6].
Alex Bourke, 62, a publisher and Homerton resident said:
“Hackney should be setting an example by leading the way, not waiting 6 years. The new government are leading on green energy. Let's lead on green food too.”
Natalia Phillips said:
“Plant Based Treaty are creating bottom-up pressure for world leaders to negotiate a global treaty that encourages a shift towards healthy plant-based diets. One way to create pressure is for cities to endorse our call for a Plant Based Treaty and work on local implementation of the best practices in plant-based food policy.” [1]
Plant-Based Councils, an Animal Rising campaign, is a national initiative of local residents who are pushing for their councils to adopt 100% plant-based catering and implement a Plant-Based Action Plan. The group claims that local authorities have a responsibility to follow the current scientific consensus, which acknowledges the environmental, health, and cost benefits of plant-based meals over those containing meat and dairy. The campaign is active in over 32 councils, with the group encouraging interested residents to sign up to run a local campaign.
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For more information or further comments, please contact press@plantbasedcouncils.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Meeting agenda: https://hackney.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=112&MId=5877
Meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XALu24KsH6k&ab_channel=hackneycouncil
[2] Plant Based Treaty draws inspiration from landmark treaties addressing threats like ozone layer depletion and nuclear weapons. It advocates for a global agreement to align the food system with the Paris Agreement and implement best practices in plant-based food policy at city and institutional levels. The proposed treaty has been endorsed by 30 cities, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. It has received support from 150,000 individual endorsers, 5 Nobel laureates, 1000+ elected officials, IPCC scientists, and 3000 groups and businesses, including Made in Hackney, the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change and the Green Party of England and Wales. High-profile celebrity endorsements include Joaquin Phoenix, Alicia Silverstone, and Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney, who said: “We believe in justice for animals, the environment and people. That’s why we support the Plant Based Treaty and urge individuals and governments to sign it.”
[3] Calderdale plant-based policy adopted 24.7.24 https://calderdale.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s13774/Item%206b%20-%202024%2006%2003%20-%20Cabinet%20Minute%20No.%208.pdf
[4] Oxford City motion: https://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=35043
Oxfordshire County Council votes to serve fully plant-based food at all council-catered events https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/plant-based-food/
Exeter City Council votes to serve 100% plant-based food at catered meetings https://news.exeter.gov.uk/council-pledges-to-raise-awareness-of-the-benefits-of-plant-based-food/
Cambridge City Council votes to serve 100% plant-based food at catered meetings https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5423
[5] November 2023 deputation:
[6] The Plant-Based Councils campaign aims to address the climate emergency starting with the food on our plates. Working with councils across the UK to encourage them to lead the way in the switch from emission-heavy foods to plant-based ones that are better for health, our planet and reducing the impact of the cost of living crisis.
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