RBKC Urged to Lead Climate Action with Fully Plant-Based Catering

• On 30/04/25 residents Christopher Welch and Sam Morland urged the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) to adopt fully plant-based catering for internal council meetings and events [1].

• Welch delivered a deputation outlining the urgency of addressing the environmental impact of meat and dairy production, and said the council can lead the way towards a  food system that benefits people, the planet, and the public purse [1]. 

• In response, Councillor Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Finance, Customer Services & Net Zero Council, noted that vegetarian or vegan options are already available daily in the council canteen and suggested that demand could naturally shift offerings over time [2].

On 30/04/25, local resident Christopher Welch addressed the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) Full Council meeting to urge the council to adopt 100% plant-based catering for all internal meetings, events, and in its canteens [2].

Welch, speaking on behalf of fellow resident Sam Morland, delivered a five-minute deputation making the case for urgent action on food-related emissions. The pair have no commercial interest in the proposal, which aligns with RBKC’s 2020 declaration of a climate emergency and its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030.

“This isn’t about changing people’s personal diets,” Welch clarified during his speech. “It’s about RBKC as an institution taking responsibility and leading by example.”

The call for action centres around three core benefits of plant-based catering: reduced climate impact, improved public health, and lower long-term costs.

“Animal agriculture emits more than double the greenhouse gases of plant-based agriculture, while providing less than half the protein and a quarter of the calories we consume,” said Welch. “Councils such as Cambridge and Oxford have already made this shift, finding it cost-neutral or even cheaper.”

He argued that transitioning catering in publicly funded spaces is a leadership decision—one that supports RBKC’s climate strategy, public health strategy, and fiscal prudence. The 2021 floods that damaged over 500 local properties were cited as a reminder of the climate crisis already affecting residents.

Welch added: “This proposal is simple, symbolic and smart. It sends a clear message that RBKC is serious about the future, and it doesn’t require complex legislation to begin.”

“RBKC was one of the first London boroughs to declare a climate emergency,” said Welch. “It can lead again, by embracing a food system change that benefits people, the planet, and the public purse."

Councillor Response 

RBKC councillors offered mixed reactions to the proposal.

Tory Councillor Johnny Thalassites thanked Welch for raising awareness, acknowledging the council’s progress on environmental fronts such as eliminating single-use plastics. However, he expressed reservations about removing food choice, saying, “I don't think it's right for us to constrain choice by offering solely plant-based meals right now.”

Cllr Thalassites noted that vegetarian or vegan options are already available daily in the council canteen and suggested that demand could naturally shift offerings over time.

Labour Councillor Toby Benton, a long-time vegan himself, agreed with the importance of climate action but opposed the proposal on the grounds of fairness and effectiveness. “Making our officers eat what I eat is just not something I would sign off on,” he said, expressing concern that some climate policies place undue burden on the poorest in the community.

About Plant Based Councils 

The RBKC deputation is part of the national Plant-Based Councils campaign, a grassroots initiative [3]. The campaign is now active in over 50 local authorities and calls on councils to show leadership by transitioning away from emission-heavy food options in favour of climate-friendly plant-based meals.

With more UK councils—including Cambridge City, Oxford City, and Nottingham—already adopting fully plant-based catering for internal events, campaigners believe RBKC could become the first Conservative-led council to join the movement [4].

London is increasingly leading on this front: Lewisham has provided fully plant-based catering since 2022, while both Camden (2023) and Hackney (2024) have formally agreed to adopt plant-based catering, though implementation is still pending [5].

The group encourages residents across the UK to get involved in their local campaigns or start new ones. More information and resources are available at www.plantbasedcouncils.org.

ENDS

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For further information or interviews, contact press@plantbasedcouncils.org

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Meeting agenda, public record: https://rbkc.moderngov.co.uk/committees/documents/s24811/250430%20Public%20Speakers.pdf 

[2] Full recording of deputation and response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Ud25iDImE

[3] The Plant-Based Councils campaign aims to address the climate emergency, starting with the food on our plates; working with UK councils to encourage the switch from emission-heavy food to plant-based options which are better for our health, the planet, and reducing the impact of the cost of living crisis. The campaign is active in over 50 councils across the UK. www.plantbasedcouncils.org

[4] Cambridge City’s plant-based commitment: https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b16782/Decision%20Sheet%2026th-May-2022%2011.00%20Council.pdf?T=9 

Oxford City’s plant-based commitment: https://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=35043 

Nottingham’s plant-based commitment: https://youtu.be/8ZgZVmByiu8 

[5] Lewisham’s plant-based commitment: 

Hackney’s plant-based commitment: https://youtu.be/KNTaum6bAT0 

Camden’s plant-based commitment: https://youtu.be/f9qVMfAQRFc