On 30/04/24 local residents and supporters of the Plant-Based Councils campaign gathered outside the Cambridgeshire County Council headquarters and unfurled a banner asking the council to ensure that all food and drink provided at council meetings and events is 100% plant-based [1].
Similar actions have been taken around the country ahead of the May local elections, including in London, Bristol, and Leeds.
100% plant-based council catering has proven controversial in the area. Cambridge City Council passed a motion making this commitment in 2022, whereas in 2023 Fenland District Council moved to commit to providing meat and dairy at catered events[3].
Residents gathered at New Shire Hall, headquarters of Cambridgeshire County Council, on 30.04.24 to call on the council to take climate action on food by ensuring that all food and drink provided at internal council events is 100% plant-based as part of their response to the climate emergency. Joined by Green Party councillor Elliot Tong, they unfurled a banner reading “Plant-Based Councils Climate Action on Food” and called on their council to back the campaign.
Local councils across Cambridgeshire have been divided over the issue of plant-based catering. In 2022, Cambridge City Council gained headlines by committing to move towards fully plant-based catering for council meetings. In 2023, Fenland District Council passed a motion with opposite intent, committing to continue to serve meat and dairy products.
Research from the University of Oxford conducted in 2018 showed that 76% of the land currently used for food production could be freed-up by a global transition to plant-based production [3]. Campaigners argue that this land could then be rewilded and returned to nature, allowing for carbon drawdown that would mitigate the worst impacts of climate breakdown.
Plant-Based Councils, an Animal Rising campaign, is a national campaign active in over 45 councils. Campaigners argue that local authorities have a responsibility to follow the current scientific consensus, which acknowledges the environmental benefits of plant-based meals over those containing meat and dairy.
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For more information or further comments, please contact press@plantbasedcouncils.org
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] 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 from the cost of living crisis.
[2]
Cambridge City Council votes to serve 100% plant-based food at catered meetings https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5423
Plant-based food debate splits Cambridgeshire councils
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