Standing Sustainability Subcommittee
February 27, 2025

Plant Based Treaty’s 40 proposals in action (2024 edition) Dozens of cities and hundreds of thousands of individuals, groups, and businesses are coming together to call for a global Plant Based Treaty to make the food system Paris Aligned. The proposed treaty would be negotiated on three core principles of Redirect, Relinquish, and Restore, and 40 suggested proposals . But what would a Plant Based Treaty look like in practice? Here it is in action… Additional Resources: ● Find out where Plant Based Treaty town and city endorsements have passed ● Contact [email protected] to be put in contact with city councillors who have passed Plant Based Treaty motions. ● Safe and Just report Demand 1 | Redirect
Eliminate

the

driving

forces

behind

the

problem
Promotion

of

plant-based

foods

and

actively

transition

away

from

animal-based

food

systems

to

plant-based

systems
Proposal 1 Declare a climate emergency – join the 2,100+ local governments in 39 different countries that

have

already

done

so
● The first city in the world to declare a climate emergency was Darebin, a suburb of Melbourne,

Australia.

This

declaration

was

made

in

December

2016,

setting

a

precedent

that

many

other

cities

and

jurisdictions

around

the

world

have

followed.

In

2017,

Darebin

developed a comprehensive Climate Emergency Plan, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy use and developing an urban food strategy. ● The European Parliament’s climate and environment emergency resolution (2019/2930(RSP): “European Parliament urges the new Commission to address the inconsistencies

of

current

Union

policies

on

the

climate

and

environment

emergency,

in

particular

through

a

far-reaching

reform

of

its

agricultural,

trade,

transport,

energy

and

infrastructure

investment

policies.”
● In the City of Bochum’s Climate Emergency Declaration, the resolution states: “Climate change will also be felt in North Rhine-Westphalia, with agriculture and the urban climate,

for

example,

being

directly

affected

by

the

consequences.

Climate

change

is

not

just

a

climate

problem:

it

is

an

economic,

security,

animal

welfare

and

peace

problem.

Proposal 2 Address the methane emergency: According to the United Nations, a 0.3°C temperature rise

could

be

averted

by

2045

if

methane

emissions

were

cut

by

45%

this

decade.

As

the

leading

source

of

human-caused

methane

emissions,

a

transition

away

from

animal

agriculture

to

a

sustainable

plant-based

food

system

would

help

us

meet

these

goals

as

soon

as

possible.

● The Global Methane Pledge was launched at COP26 in November 2021 to kickstart action to reduce methane emissions. Led by the United States and the European Union, the

Pledge

now

has

111

country

participants

who

together

are

responsible

for

45%

of

global

human-caused

methane

emissions.

Countries

who

have

signed

the

pledge

have

agreed

to

work

together

to

collectively

reduce

methane

emissions

by

at

least

30%

below

2020

levels

by

2030.
● New Zealand signed Global Methane Pledge. According to "Aotearoa New Zealand’s Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan", emissions from agriculture, including methane, will be priced by 2025. After a new government was elected, New Zealand then decided to cancel this and remove agriculture from this scope. Proposal 3 Food security should be placed as a priority for all nations, with a focus on ending poverty

and

hunger

and

making

nutritious

food

accessible

for

all.
● The Paris Strategy for Sustainable Food sets up shared kitchens to cook sustainable unprocessed food from organic fruit and vegetables. These fixed and mobile kitchens allow

people

who

don’t

have

proper

cooking

facilities

at

home

to

prepare

varied

quality

food.

The

Paris

Strategy

also

has

a

“food

for

the

poorest”

solidarity

initiative

with“fruit

and

vegetables”

solidarity

cards

and

the

support

for

the

“café

suspendu”

(paying

for

a

coffee

that

someone

less

fortunate

will

drink

later)

and

expanded

to

bakers

and

grocery

stores.

In

addition,

the

Paris

city

council

commits

to

strengthening

the

redistribution

of

unsold

food

by

coordinating

networks

who

recover

unsold

food

and

redistribute

it

to

those in need. Finally, it develops public awareness campaigns about sustainable food for

fragile

populations

and

culinary

workshops

using

fresh

seasonal

products

with

an

emphasis

on

using

legumes

in

their

diet.

Proposal 4 Acknowledge and support the pivotal role small farmers have in feeding the planet; support

them

to

maintain

(or

restore)

autonomy

over

their

lands,

water,

seeds

and

other

resources
● The city of Belo Horizonte in Brazil’s Municipal Law No. 6.352, 15/07/1993, created a Municipal Secretariat of Supply, an organizational framework that is committed to the concept

of

food

sovereignty.

Proposal 5 Shift away from monoculture-based arable farming that depletes soil, decreases biodiversity

and

is

reliant

on

external

inputs

such

as

animal

manure

and

agrochemicals

towards

diversified,

agroecological,

veganic

(vegan

and

organic)

farming

using

regenerative,

permaculture

and

natural

principles

that

restore

soil

and

ecosystems,

enhance

food

security

and

provide

nutrient-dense

foods
● In India, the government of Andhra Pradesh introduced Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in September 2015. It was later followed by states of Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Keral a . “This is an unprecedented transformation towards sustainable agriculture

on

a

massive

scale,

and

the

kind

of

bold

change

we

need

to

see

to

protect
the climate, biodiversity, and food security,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment Program .

It encourages the use of plant residues and cover crops for fertility. The land is not specifically allocated for animal feed production. Instead, land is utilized for growing food

crops,

legumes,

and

other

plants

that

can

contribute

to

soil

health

and

farm

sustainability.

While

traditional

ZBNF

sometimes

uses

cow

dung

for

making

preparations

like

Jeevamrutha,

the

system

is

increasingly

promoting

plant-based

alternatives

for

soil

fertility

and

pest

control.

Proposal 6 Calculate greenhouse gas emissions based on consumption and develop a food strategy for

Climate

Action

Plans

that

prioritizes

a

switch

to

plant-based

foods

and

public

education

Consumption-based

emissions

calculations

and

targets

The Stockholm Environment Institute explains Consumption Based Emission Inventories (CBEIs) in its report: Stockholm Environment Institute, Estimating Consumption-Based Greenhouse Gas Emissions at the City Scale. A guide for local governments (2019, p. 9):

“Numerous cities around the world have been exploring their carbon footprint using consumption-based

emissions

inventories.

These

inventories

differ

from

the

territorial

(or

“sector-based”)

approach

typically

used

to

calculate

urban

greenhouse

gas

(GHG)

emissions,

because

they

include

emissions

generated

outside

city

borders

to

produce

goods

and

services

for

urban

residents.

These

upstream

emissions

can

be

significant,

and

they

are

often

commensurate

with

the

amount

of

emissions

created

within

the

city

itself.

A

CBEI

can

lead

to

insights

about

where

local

consumption

gives

rise

to

emissions

outside

a

city’s

borders,

and

suggest

additional

opportunities

for

reducing

emissions.”

● In Edinburgh City Council’s Plant Based Treaty impact assessment, they estimated food and

diet

accounted

for

23%

of

the

city’s

consumption-based

footprint,12%

of

these

emissions

are

from

the

consumption

of

meat

and

fish.
● Lambeth Council’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement, included a commitment to measure and

reduce

food-based

emissions

and

minimizing

food

waste,

supporting

businesses

that

prioritize

sustainable

agriculture

practices

and

food

procurement

as

well

as

reducing

the

consumption

of

animal-based

products

in

council-run

facilities

and

events.

We

will

also

continue

to

use

council

communications

channels

to

promote

sustainable

(and

affordable)

food

and

drink

practices.
● Hoboken, New Jersey’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement includes identifying and calculating

consumption-based

greenhouse

gas

emissions

within

the

city

boundaries

and

updating

Hoboken’s

Climate

Action

Plan

to

make

a

plant-based

approach

to

food

and

food

purchasing

a

centerpiece

of

our

greenhouse

gas

emissions

policy.
● The City of Portland’s Climate Emergency Declaration refers to Portland’s consumption-based food emissions and states: “Portland’s consumption-based carbon emission

inventory

shows

that

global

carbon

emissions

that

result

from

the

consumption

of

food,

goods,

materials,

and

services

by

Portlanders

are

more

than

double

the

emissions

produced

locally”.
● Brussels climate action plan, Towards more sustainable food systems, notes: “The food production methods that supply most of our food consume a lot of water, energy and raw materials.

Through

our

consumption

choices,

we

can

encourage

more

sustainable

food

chains

and

move

collectively

towards

diets

that

have

a

positive

impact

on

the

planet
through seasonal produce, reduced meat intake in favour of plant proteins and products from

sustainable

agriculture

that

are

as

local

as

possible.”
● The San Francisco Climate Action Plan (2021, page 38) compares sector based emissions which only look at emissions produced within the city limits and consumption based

emissions

inventories

which

also

include

emissions

generated

outside

city

borders

to

produce

goods

and

services

for

consumption

by

residents.

The

latter

increases

a

city’s

accountability

for

all

emissions

its

residents

are

responsible

for

without

“outsourcing

high-emissions

activities

to

other

communities,

locally,

regionally,

and

internationally.”

“The methodology then ascribes the final emissions demand to consumers, defined as households

and

government

in

San

Francisco.

A

Consumption

Based

Emissions

Inventory

(CBEI)

differs

from

a

sector-based

inventory

because

it

includes

emissions

generated outside city borders to produce goods and services for consumption by residents.

Thus,

a

CBEI

provides

insights

about

where

local

consumption

gives

rise

to

emissions

outside

a

city,

leading

to

additional

opportunities

for

reducing

emissions

and

avoiding

inequities

associated

with

outsourcing

high-emissions

activities

to

other

communities,

locally,

regionally,

and

internationally.”

● New York City Household consumption-based emissions inventory (2023 p.25) notes: “For food, goods, and services, however, use-phase emissions are practically zero.

These

categories

have

some

transport

and

sale

emissions,

but

are

overwhelmingly

dominated

by

production

emissions.”

The

majority

of

greenhouse

gas

emissions

resulting

from

food

arise

from

production:

“..for

Food,

roughly

95%

of

emissions

occur

in

production.

Food

emissions

primarily

come

from

application

of

nitrogen

fertilizers

and

enteric

fermentation

(methane

released

from

digestion

by

cows

and

other

[farmed

animals]).

These

emissions

significantly

outweigh

the

emissions

associated

with
transportation or sale of food.” (New York City (2023): ‘New York City Household consumption-based emissions inventory’, p.26)

Figure 19. Household Emissions by Supply Chain Stage - US Average (‘New York City Household consumption-based emissions inventory’, 2023, p.25) New York City produced an “integrated greenhouse gas inventory, which incorporates emissions from the production and consumption of food. Those emissions represent 20 perce
nt

of

New

York

City's

overall

emissions

—

the

third

largest

source,

behind

buildings

(35

percent)

and

transportation

(21

percent).”

● New York City, the first US city to sign the Cool Food Pledge, is committed to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions from food purchases across city agencies by 33 percent

by

2030.

This

exceeds

the

typical

Cool

Food

Pledge

goal

of

a

25%

reduction.

“The

Cool

Food

Pledge

helps

organizations

commit

to

and

achieve

a

science-based

target

to

reduce

the

climate

impact

of

the

food

they

serve…

Pledge

members

report

food

purchase

amounts

by

weight

each

year

and

Cool

Food

determines

the

climate

impact

of

food

using

the

Cool

Food

Calculator.

The

most

recent

analysis

showed

that

New

York

City

reduced

emissions

by

37%

per

plate

between

2019

and

2020,

making

us

well

ahead

of

the

pace

needed

to

achieve

the

Pledge's

2030

target.”

● In 2024, Los Angeles introduced the motion ‘Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions through Food Procurement’ which addressed the measurement of meat, dairy and eggs by

volume:

“3.

Instruct

the

Department

of

Health

Services

(DHS),

in

consultation

with

the

Department

of

Public

Health,

to

report

back

to

the

Board

in

120

days

on

the

following:

the

total

amount

of

meat,

poultry,

fish,

dairy

and

egg

products

and

the

total

amount

of

plant-based

food

products

(“plant-based

food

products”

shall

mean

food

that

contain

no

animal

products

or

byproducts,

including

but

not

limited

to

meat,

poultry,

fish,

dairy,

or

eggs”)

–

measured

in

volume–

that

are

currently

contracted

to

vendors

by

DHS

in

one

calendar

year.”

Plant-based Climate Action Plans ● London is signed up to the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration which commits the GLA to align food procurement policies to the Planetary Health Diet and reduce the emissions from

food

supply

chains.

City

Hall’s

café

and

hospitality

contract

specifically

pledged

to

increase

consumption

of

plant-based

proteins

by

ensuring

a

significant

proportion

of

the

menu

always

contains

vegan

options,

and

event

organizers

can

select

from

a

range

of

vegan

options.
● Carrboro’s, NC, Community Climate Action Plan notes in its Food Choice Measures: “The livestock sector is one of the most significant contributors to serious environmental problems,

at

every

scale

from

local

to

global,

and

must

become

a

major

policy

focus.”

It

adds

a

"Food

for

Thought":

“You

can

change

your

light

bulbs,

buy

a

hybrid

car

and

plant

more

trees,

but

nothing

is

as

effective,

available,

inexpensive,

quick,

and

powerful

for

the

individual

in

affecting

climate

change

as

the

choice

of

where

to

stick

your

fork”

(p.

59).
● In Australia, Yarra’s Climate Emergency Plan states the impacts of animal agriculture as a major source of emissions and emphasizes the shift to plant-based diets as critical in responding

to

the

climate

emergency

(p

41).

On

the

city’s

website

they

offer

workshops,

webinars

and

climate

action

cook-along

classes

on

“How

to

cook

delicious

plant

based

zero

waste

dishes”

to

help

their

citizens

to

choose

plant-based

foods.

● The City of Davis, US Climate Action and Adaptation Plan includes promoting plant-based diets through education and outreach. ● The Salt Lake City, US, website includes information about food system impacts including the “unique role of animal products”. It explains that animal products have the largest

carbon

footprint

of

all

food,

and

covers

impacts

such

as

greenhouse

gas

emissions,

water

use

and

land

use.

They

encourage

people

to

eat

organic

where

possible,

use

whole

fresh

foods

and

replacing

“red

meat

and

dairy

with

more

plant-based

foods.

Compared

to

the

11.42 pounds

of

CO2

produced

from

one

cheese

burger,

a

veggie

burger

produces

2.2 pounds

of

CO2.

Consider

joining

the

Meatless

Monday

movement.”
● Seattle’s, US, Climate Action Plan includes a chapter on what individuals can do to reduce

emissions,

including

eating

less

meat

and

dairy

and

eating

meat-free

at

least

one

day

a

week.
● Similarly, Oakland’s Energy and Climate Action Plan includes a Community Climate Action

guide

that

recommends

individuals

eat

less

meat

and

consider

going

vegetarian.
● New York City will serve healthier meals via its Updated NYC Food Standards for Meals and Snacks Purchased and Served and for Food, Vending Machines on City Property. ● The Flemish energy and climate policy plan for 2021-2030 states: for a climate-responsive

farmed

animal

policy

it

is

vital

to

anticipate

shifts

in

the

dietary

patterns

that

are

climate-necessary,

such

as

a

trend

toward

more

moderate

consumption

of

dairy

and

meat

per

person,

in

favour

of

vegetable

production

for

direct

human

consumption.
https://assets.vlaanderen.be/image/upload/v1697457608/SALV_Advies_VEKP_2023_-_landbouw_sd97il.pdf Plant-Based Foods Country Action Plans In 2023, the Government of Denmark published the Danish Action Plan for Plant-based Foods, the world’s first ever plant based food country action plan. Jacob Jensen, Minister for Food, Agriculture

and

Fisheries,

states:

“Plant-based

foods

are

the

future.

If

we

want

to

reduce

the

climate

footprint

within

the

agricultural

sector,

then

we

all

have

to

eat

more

plant-based

foods

-

as

according

to

the

Official

Dietary

Guidelines.”

The plan introduced the Plant-based Food Grant, totalling DKK 675 million until 2030, aimed at developing the plant-based food sector in Denmark. The plan covers the entire value chain “from

the

farmer

and

food

manufacturer

to

the

retail

chains,

the

local

cafeteria

and

the

global

export

markets

–

even

the

consumer

on

their

daily

trip

to

the

grocery

store

-

aiming

to

strengthen

Danish

crop

production,

boost

plant-based

food

sales,

and

enhance

research

and

innovation

through

public-private

partnerships.”

The Action Plan notes that currently only 18 percent of Danish farmland is used for growing plant-based

food.

There’s

a

recognition

that

“Danish

operators

want

Danish

companies

that

produce

and

sell

plant-based

products

to

predominantly

obtain

their

crops

from

Danish

farmers.

So

if

we

are

to

boost

Danish

plant-based

food

production

and

exports,

we

need

to

look

at

a

transformation

of

Danish

farmland.”

(p.

31)
The plan provides help for plant-based start-ups. “Innobooster, under the Innovation Fund, invests

in

knowledge-based

development

projects

in

small

and

medium-sized

Danish

companies,

as

well

as

entrepreneurial

companies.

They

support

three

politically

determined

themes,

one

of

which

is

green

technology

development

and

innovation.

Innobooster

has

already

helped

finance

companies

that

have

gone

on

to

develop

new

types

of

vegan

food

and

edible

seaweed.”

(p.

12)
Proposal 7 Update government food and dietary guidelines to promote wholefood, plant-based food ● Canada’s food guide is science based and is mainly plant based (around 88%) and a glass

of

water

has

replaced

a

glass

of

dairy

milk.
● In a study of national dietary guidelines by ProVeg International, they found that a total of 38 guidelines (40%) contain a position on vegetarian diets (including plant-based diets) and

nearly

half

(45%)

of

guidelines

mention

plant-based

alternatives

to

meat

or

animal

milk.

In

the

study’s

“Balanced

Food

Choice

Index”

(BCFI),

the

Netherlands,

Australia,

Switzerland

and

Qatar

came

out

as

the

top

countries

providing

the

most

balanced

dietary

guidelines. Proposal 8 Design public information campaigns to raise awareness about the climate and the environmental

advantages

and

health

benefits

of

plant-based

food,

nutrition

and

cooking

Cities can run public information campaigns on the health and planetary benefits of plant-based diets

and

promote

plant-based

recipes

on

municipal

websites,

social

media

and

via

public

service

announcements

using

radio,

billboards,

bus

shelters

and

public

advertising.

Public

information

and

engagement

campaigns

include:

(a)

cooking

demonstrations

&

plant-based

food

sampling,

(b)

advertising

campaigns,

(c)

city

declarations

and

mayoral

proclamations,

(d)

plant-based

challenges,

and

(e)

plant-based

protein

working

groups.

(a) Cooking demonstrations & plant-based food sampling The Environmental Law Institute’s A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans recommends: “Sponsor a household focused program on municipal social media platforms and websites, such as a plant-based protein home cooking challenge

or

virtual

plant-based

protein

eating

pledge,

and

provide

recipes

and

other

resources

(e.g.,

webinar/panel).”
● Following Exmouth Town Council’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement, Climate Change Officer, Councillor Louise Venables launched monthly Plant-Based Bring & Share Events in

partnership

with

the

Sideshore

Community

Hub

“to

raise

awareness

of

how

diet

change

is

a

powerful

way

to

tackle

climate

change.”

Attendees

are

encouraged

to

bring

non-vegans

along

to

the

event,

along

with

a

plant-based

dish

to

share.

During

the

free

event,

people

are

invited

to

share

recipes

and

suggest

ways

to

work

together

to

promote

healthier,

plant-based

eating

in

Exmouth.

Residents

are

being

encouraged

to

set

up

their

own

events

with

Councillor

Venables

offering

support,

advice

and

promotion

to

help
others get started. The events have also attracted positive media coverage. ● In 2020, Santa Monica, US hosted special plant-based cooking demonstrations for International Women’s Day, using recipes from famous female chefs. They included food sampling

and

recipes

to

take

home.

● In 2022, a group of A²ZERO Ambassadors, in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations and non-profit VegMichigan, hosted their first ever A²ZERO Plant-Based Challenge with a cooking demonstration. Participants signed up for VegMichigan's 30-Day Challenge, which included a reusable grocery bag full of plant-based

foods

to

try.

The

challenge

promoted

the

health

and

sustainability

benefits

of

eating

a

plant-forward

diet;

a

pledge

to

reduce

their

consumption

of

animal-based

food

products for the week; get daily emails with tips, tricks, and recipes; attend an in-person kick-off

event,

a

plant-based

pizza

party,

and

a

series

of

virtual

webinars

and

cooking

demonstrations

and

complete

"bean-go"

cards

to

be

entered

into

a

drawing

for

local

and

delicious

prizes!”

The

week

long

webinars

included:

1. A

Virtual

Cooking

De monstration
with a chef from Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen. 2. Restaurant Panel Discussions with local restaurant owners to learn how their restaurants are incorporating plant-based meals into

their

menus.

3. Plant-Based

Eating

and

Nutrition

with

local

medical

practitioners

Dr.

Melissa Sundermann (slide deck here) and Dr. Robert Breakey (slide deck here) from Trinity Health IHA about the health benefits and nutritional value of plant-based diets. 4.

Affordable

Plant-Based

Eating:

joined

by

Jeff

Tritten

and

Howard

Scheps

from
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness for tips and tricks for easy and affordable plant-based meals (slide deck here; plus helpful resource sheets from American College of Lifestyle Medicine and Washtenaw Optimal Wellness). (b) Advertising campaigns ● The New York City Health Department launched an ad campaign titled “Eat a whole lot more plants.” The campaign urges New Yorkers to put plants on their plates and adopt a healthy, balanced diet full of whole foods. For one month, the ad campaign ran on television,

radio,

subways,

NYCLink,

digital

channels,

and

outdoor

media

in

neighborhoods

with

health

and

socioeconomic

inequities

promoting

“scrumptious

sprouts

and

piquant

produce

on

New

Yorkers’

menus.”

The

education

campaign

aims

to

increase

the

intake

of

tasty

plant-based

food,

like

fruits,

vegetables,

beans,

nuts,

and

whole

grains,

and

shows

people

how

to

swap

beans

for

meat

in

culturally

diverse

dishes.

● Manchester city billboards: Manchester City Council spent nearly £30,000 on adverts around the city encouraging residents to live more eco-friendly including to eat less meat and

dairy.

The

adverts

formed

part

of

the

City

Council’s

Climate

Change

Action

Plan,

with

a

target

for

a

50%

reduction

in

direct

CO2

emissions

between

2020

and

2025.

● The Environmental Law Institute’s “A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans”: suggests that local authorities “partner with a local or national celebrity (e.g., consider athletes, actors, musicians, celebrity chefs)

to

produce

a

public

service

announcement

on

efforts

to

increase

the

availability

of

plant-based

proteins.”

For

example,

the

nonprofit

Veganuary

encourages

people

to

try
vegan for January and beyond. It launched an ad campaign featuring Billie Eilish, a vegan advocate, encouraged her 107 million Instagram followers to join the challenge. “The

[farmed

animal]

sector

contributes

more

than

60%

of

all

food-system

greenhouse

gasses.

That’s

a

lot

of

pressure

on

our

planet,

but

by

replacing

meat

consumption

with

plant-based

foods,

together,

we

can

give

the

Earth

a

fighting

chance.”

Wendy

Matthews,

Veganuary’s

US

Director,

states:

“Climate

anxiety

is

real,

but

we

can’t

let

anxiety

lead

to

apathy.

Veganuary

is

inviting

you

to

choose

action

and

choose

hope

this

January

by

trying

vegan

for

31 days.

We’ll

be

here

to

coach

you

through

it

every

step

of

the

way!”

The Veganuary Vote For Veggies campaign bus in London ● Plant Based Treaty motions in Hoboken, US and Norwich in the UK emphasized public education

by

including:

“Use

municipal

communications

channels

to

promote

sustainable

(and

affordable)

food

and

drink

practices

throughout

the

city,

including

details

of

the

climate

and

health

benefits

of

plant-based

food

and

drinks

and

educating

people

on

the

best

ways

to

achieve

a

balanced

plant-based

diet,

while

also

appropriately

highlighting

the

crisis

of

ever-increasing

food

poverty

and

the

support

available

to

respond

to

it.”
● Austin, Texas, has Tips for Sustainable Eating to encourage residents to try Meatless Mondays to promote health, water, and climate benefits. (c) City Declarations and Mayoral Proclamations Cities can launch a Plant-Based Week or Month by mayoral proclamation for restaurants, schools

and

other

sectors.

One

or

more

nonprofit

groups

are

needed

to

spearhead

it.

Also

selecting

famous

co-chairs

can

help

recruit

restaurants

to

participate

and

garner

media.

Restaurants

can

help

raise

awareness

and

provide

new

plant

based

dishes,

specials,

and

even
menus for the week. See the Environmental Law Institute’s A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans for further examples. ● Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued a proclamation declaring August Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month and encouraged: “Baltimore’s restaurants, schools, grocery stores,

organizations,

institutions,

and

citizens

to

join

us

in

celebrating

and

entering
plant-based foods on their plates” — a repeat of the proclamation by the US Conference of Mayors. The vegan restaurant month was sponsored in part by the Better Food Foundation and the Black Veg Society, Maryland. Marylanders also had Vegan SoulFest, an annual plant-powered celebration. ● Many U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have

passed council resolutions or proclamations designating Meatless Mondays in the city.

Although

these

are

ceremonial

declarations,

they

raise

awareness

on

the

benefits

of
plant-based foods and can inspire action. The L.A. Meatless Monday resolution draws attention to the significant environmental impacts of animal farming and encourages residents

“to

eat

a

more

varied

plant-based

diet

to

protect

their

health,

protect

animals,
and protect the environment.” In Sacramento, twenty-two local restaurants celebrated the city’s Meatless Monday resolution by offering special vegetarian menus, and the city hosted

a

vegan

chef

competition. ● Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the first Veg Restaurant Week on May 7th, 2022 to celebrate local plant based cuisine with new dishes, prix fixe menus, and specials

worldwide.

It

was

co-chaired

by

DC

Shadow

Representative

Oye

Owolewa

and

Celebrity

Chef

Spike

Mendelsohn—an

alum

of

Bravo

cooking

reality

show

Top

Chef

and
owner of PLNT Burger according to VegNews. At the 2024 Washington Veg Week, TV personality co-chair Bershan Shaw and NBA basketball coach Joseph Blair described the

event

as

the

largest

celebration

of

plant-based

cuisine

in

the

nation’s

capital,

reflecting

the

enthusiasm

for

food

that

is

sustainable,

healthy,

and

delicious.
● Austin, Texas, Mayor Kirk Watson officially proclaimed January 2024 as ‘Plant Based for the Planet Month’. The campaign, spearheaded by the local nonprofit Planted Society with

the

mayor’s

official

backing,

has

over

35 New

Plant-Based

Dining

Specials

from

over

14 participating

restaurants.

“We

are

truly

delighted

to

be

a

part

of

this

initiative

and

witness

the

momentum

it

has

gained

in

Austin,”

said

Edwin

Marty,

Food

Policy

Manager

for

the

City

of

Austin.

● In 2024, Montclair, New Jersey, partnered with 12 restaurants in the city, and co-sponsored the Plant Based for the Planet initiative with Humane Montclair and the Township

of

the

Montclair’s

Office

of

Sustainability.
● Vegan Outreach organizes Vegan Chef Challenges in dozens of cities. These “are month-long events, usually held in medium-sized cities, showcasing new vegan menu items

created

by

chefs

at

local

restaurants.

Typically,

ten

to

thirty

restaurants

take

part

and

the

dining

public

is

encouraged

to

vote

for

their

favorite

dishes.

We

encourage

businesses

to

keep

popular

vegan

items

on

their

regular

menu

after

the

challenge

concludes.”

Elizabeth

Van

Voorhees

in

Durham,

North

Carolina,

is

working

with

the

Mayor

on

a

city

proclamation

in

support

of

the

Vegan

Chef

Challenge.

Plant-based challenges ● In 2023, Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously on a three-year, $135,000 contract with VegMichigan, a community group, to deliver plant based food projects. The plant based

projects

include

working

with

VegMichigan

to

design

education

materials,

hosting

a

week-long

plant-based

plant-based

eating

challenges,

food

giveaways

of

700

bags

of

plant-based

foods

to

residents

new

to

plant-based

eating,

and

engaging

with

businesses

to provide more plant-based food options. The plan states that restaurants that VegMichigan

will

support

restaurants

by

“meeting

with

local

restaurants

to

discuss

the

benefit

of

adding

plant-based

options

to

their

menu

and

promoting

business

that

provide

plant-based

options

through

things

like:

featuring

them

in

VegMichigan’s

newsletter,

highlighting

them

in

VegMichigan’s

social

media

channels,

offering

free

tasting

samples

of

their

products

to

the

public,

and

holding

meal

club

gatherings

at

these

restaurants.”

VegMichigan

also

plans

to

help

the

city

get

organizations

to

adopt

plant-based

default

policies

for

food

at

their

events

by

reaching

out

to

over

30 organizations

with

a

goal

to

have

at

least

three

make

the

commitment.

Council

Member

Erica

Briggs,

D-5th

Ward,

notes

that

the

council

has

instructed

city

staff

to

report

annually

on

the

impact

of

the

work,

including

greenhouse

gas

emission

reduction,

to

help

provide

data

for

future

contracts.
● “Pittsburgh Council launched a cardiovascular health challenge for its employees called the “Heart of a Hero Campaign.” The city collaborated with plant-based nutrition company

Engine

2,

a

health

insurance

provider,

and

the

American

College

of

Lifestyle

Medicine

to

encourage

its

employees

to

eat

more

vegan

food

for

one

month.

The

challenge

launched

with

a

cooking

demonstration

by

health

ambassador

and

best-selling

author

Rip

Esselstyn.

Participants

were

invited

to

attend

the

world

premiere

screening

of

The

Game

Changers.

Directed

by

Oscar-winning

filmmaker

Louie

Psihoyos

and

executive

produced

by

James

Cameron,

Arnold

Schwarzenegger,

Jackie

Chan,

Lewis

Hamilton,

Novak

Djokovic,

and

Chris

Paul”

● The City of Edinburgh Council agreed to annually “mark Veganuary in the Council office buildings

by

promoting

a

vegan

dish

of

the

week

throughout

January.”
Plant-based protein working group Environmental Law Institute’s A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans notes that cities can “Establish a plant-based proteins working group within a food policy council (or work through existing groups) to promote plant-based protein-related

policy

(possibly

with

interdepartmental

and

community

input).”
● Washington DC’s District of Columbia Food Policy Council and District of Columbia Office of Planning publish an annual Food System Assessment report on the state of the District food system and how to make the food system more healthy, equitable and sustainable.

They

map

out

inequities

in

access

to

foods

in

the

city

and

found

that

about

half

the

Hispanic

and

Black

residents

experienced

food

insecurity

compared

to

14%

of

white

residents.

The

program:

They

spotlight

local

actions

and

policy

initiatives

such

as

commercial

composting,

urban

agricultural

grants,

and

the

Green

Food

Purchasing

Act.

They

note:

“In

2022,

the

Green

Food

Purchasing

Amendment

Act

of

2021

was

put

into

action:

Department

of

Energy

and

Environment

hired

a

Green

Food

Program

Analyst

to

launch

an

annual

analysis

of

each

agency’s

carbon

emissions

from

food

purchasing.

In

partnership

with

the

World

Resources

Institute,

the

District

has

established

a

baseline

and

identified

meat

as

the

largest

source

of

greenhouse

gas

emissions

from

the

District’s

purchasing.

The

agency

and

the

DC

Food

Policy

Council’s

Sustainable

Supply

Chain

Working Group have continued to explore and share behavioural science strategies to increase

the

consumption

of

plant-based

foods.”
Proposal 9 Aim to reduce the public’s consumption of animal-based food through education in schools
Nutritional education ● Lambeth Council, UK is part of a consortium focusing on school diets and how to work towards more sustainable food in schools. Lambeth works very closely with four other boroughs

with

the

target

to

reduce

the

carbon

emissions

per

plate

in

school

dinners

by

around

38 per

cent,

by

2027.

Councillor

Dickson

said,

“This

is

all

about

how

we

make

school

food

more

sustainable.

That’s

huge

because

of

both

the

quantity

of

food

that

is

served

to

children

daily

and

from

an

educational

aspect.

We

want

to

help

children

understand

how

important

it

is

to

eat

sustainable

food

and

the

health

benefits

of

a

plant-based

diet….We

hope

to

have

sustainable

school

meals

that

are

both

increasingly

plant-based

and

free

for

all

children,

if

possible.”

● In Germany, Freiburg city states pupils should learn to eat in a way that is enjoyable, healthy and sustainable. To ensure that this is successful in the long term, those responsible

on

site

promote

and

support

everyday

nutrition

education

programs

at

schools.

● Catering Leeds’ trailblazing ‘Planet Friendly Menus’ project, introducing meat free school dinners

and

some

vegan

options,

is

exemplary.

The

project

achieves

health

and

climate

goals

while

educating

children

as

to

the

climate

impact

of

our

food

choices.

As

Leeds

City

Council’s

research

demonstrates,

there

is

an

appetite

among

young

people

for

this

kind

of

change:

95%

of

children

surveyed

indicated

that

they

would

be

happy

to

eat

meat-free

food

once

a

week

to

help

tackle

climate

change.

School gardens ● The creation of a school garden is among the most effective and engaging educational opportunities for children and young people. In the Municipality of Milan there are over 100 school gardens in municipal and state schools. The aim is to educate on the value of

nature

and

food

from

an

early

age

and

to

encourage

children

to

engage

in

constructive

outdoor

activities.

It

allows

young

people

to

evaluate

sustainability

over

time.

Webinars and lunch and learn sessions ● The City of Edinburgh Council is committed to “Raise awareness on the environmental impacts

of

food

and

benefits

of

plant-based

diets

by

promoting

events

and

organizing

talks,

online

webinars

and/or

lunch

and

learn

sessions.

James

and

Jennifer

attended

and

helped

outreach

at

a

community

event

and

gave

a

presentation

at

a

library.

● Share resources on reducing the environmental impact of food to partners (menu ideas, reports,

case

studies,

training

resources

etc).

City

of

Edinburgh

Council

(Policy

&

Insight)

Q3

2023

(Sophie

will

follow

up)
Proposal 10 Transition to plant-based meal plans in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, government

institutions,

universities

and

businesses.

Councils:
● As part of the Edinburgh Plant Based Treaty Action Plan (Influence and leadership section),

the

City

of

Edinburgh

Council’s

Policy

&

Insight

group

is

engaging

with

the

further

and

higher

education

sector

in

Edinburgh

on

endorsing

the

Plant-Based

Treaty

(in

full/sections/themes)

and

increasing

the

range

and

scope

of

plant-based

food

on

offer

in

their

catering

provision.
● Exmouth Town Council is transitioning to 100% plant-based catering for climate events and

meetings.
● Following Hayward Heath’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement, Councillor Deanna Nicholson is building up a test case of public events where plant-based food has been featured and successful, with the aim to make the food offerings fully plant-based in the future. The council offered a plant-based lunch and afternoon tea at their 2023 careers event

and

plant-based

alternatives

have

also

been

served

at

other

town

events

since.

Councillor Nicholson said, “Not only are we reducing our carbon footprint and meeting the

aims

of

the

Plant

Based

Treaty

when

serving

vegan

food,

but

all

our

community

is

suddenly

welcomed

and

catered

for.

I

realised

the

best

plant-based

argument

is

inclusion.”
● City of Edinburgh Council pledge to ensure all food & drink provided at meetings and events

hosted

by

the

Council

include

plant-based

options,

and

where

possible,

sourcing

sustainable

local

ingredients.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Increased

provision

of

plant-based

food

section)
● City of Edinburgh Council pledged to ensure Council offices’ restaurants and cafes always

include

plant-based

options

including

plant-based

milk.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Increased

provision

of

plant-based

food

section)
● City of Edinburgh Council is undertaking a pilot, with healthy plant-based snacks when delivering

activities

with

young

people

in

libraries

in

line

with

procurement

guidance.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Increased

provision

of

plant-based

food

section)
● The Edinburgh Council will engage (Q4 2024) with public and private sector food providers

and

retailers

to

provide

more

plant-based

options

in

their

catering

and

instore

provision

to

support

healthy,

sustainable

diets.

Partners

include

Edible

Edinburgh,

University

and

College

Sector,

NHS

Lothian,

Edinburgh,

and

Chamber

of

Commerce.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Increased

provision

of

plant-based

food

section)
● When new contracts arise, Edinburgh is committed to making plant-based options available

for

events

such

as

city

festivals,

Christmas

markets

and

others.

This

also

extends

to

the

Assembly

Rooms

Catering

Panel

which

specifies

plant-based

options

and

where

possible,

provided

by

a

caterer

paying

the

Real

Living

Wage

and

sourcing

sustainable

local

ingredients.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Increased

provision

of

plant-based

food

section).
● Southwark plans to become the first London borough to only serve vegetarian food in primary

schools

by

2030.

Southwark’s

Run

'Meat

Free

Mondays'

campaign

with

support

of

local

organizations
● Amsterdam: The city will enter a covenant with major employers, public institutions such as hospitals, community centres, and care institutions in Amsterdam titled ‘Amsterdam:
healthy,

fair,

and

sustainable

food

city,’

that

could

include:
● All employees, visitors, and patients can obtain full plant-based meal options in all

publicly

funded

institutions

from

2024;
● All restoration and catering at public institutions commit to a Vegan Friday from 2024;
● All restoration and catering commit by 2030 to the animal-plant protein ratio set in Amsterdam;
● To organize an annual plant-based conference with care institutions, schools, universities,

and

other

public

institutions

in

Amsterdam;
● Amsterdam motion: To consult with all schools, research institutions, hospitals, museums, and other publicly funded institutions with restoration or catering.

● To make this plan part of the implementation agenda food strategy 2023-2026, with

the

intended

implementation

of

this

initiative

by

early

2026

at

the

latest
Hospitals
● In 2024, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion to set Los Angeles County, one of the largest contracting entities in Southern California, on a path to reduce

greenhouse

gas

emissions

through

its

food

purchasing

practices.

As

part

of

the

motion,

the

Department

of

Public

Health

will

review

their

Nutritional

Standards

for

Prepared

Foods,

Snacks

and

Beverages

to

transition

to

more

plant-based

options

in

its
111 food contracts across hospitals, schools and other county facilities. A review will be conducted, of the county’s food purchasing carbon footprint, with consideration regarding how

officials

can

reduce

the

carbon

footprint

of

food

and

reduce

the

amount

of

animal

products

being

purchased.

Mercy

For

Animals,

the

Center

for

Biological

Diversity,

Greener

by

Default

and

other

organizations

worked

closely

with

county

supervisor

Lindsey

P.

Horvath

to

create

the

policy.
● Four hospitals in San Francisco Bay, US implemented the Health Care Without Harm program. In one year they reduced meat purchasing by 28%, delivered cost savings of $402,000USD

and

saved

an

estimated

1,004

tons

CO2e.
● Plant-based meals in public hospitals. New York City Health and Hospitals have made plant based meals the default option for all inpatients in their network of 11 public hospitals.

60 percent

of

eligible

patients

are

sticking

with

the

plant-based

option.

New

York

City

partnered

with

Greener

by

Default

to

make

a

successful

menu

change

that
patients would enjoy. Greener by default offers free one-on-one consultation, implementation guides, sourcing and recipe assistance, marketing and educational materials

and

impact

calculations.

Menu

of

Options

Greener

by

Default

can

be

implemented

as

part

of

Climate

Action

Plans,

food

procurement

guidelines,

or

nutrition

standards.

The

three

key

steps

to

success

are:

(1)

Make

it

Easy:

Make

plant-based

entrees

the

default

for

catered

meals;

(2)

Make

it

Visible:

Place

plant-based

entrees

at

the

front

of

the

buffets

and

menus;

and

(3)

Make

it

Plentiful:

Offer

at

least

two

plant-based

dishes

for

every

meat

dish

served.
● A new partnership with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) to provide every New York City health care practitioner with free introductory training in lifestyle medicine

with

a

special

focus

on

plant-based

nutrition.
● An expansion of NYC Health + Hospitals’ (H+H) groundbreaking lifestyle medicine services at six new sites across all five boroughs to provide patients living with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure the tools, support, and guidance

to

treat

and

prevent

common

conditions

using

lifestyle

interventions

including

a

plant-predominant

eating

pattern.
● Since 2013, Washington, DC has invested in several innovative programmes recognizing

the

crucial

role

that

diet

places

in

overall

health.

These

food-as-medicine

programmes,

including

Produce

Plus

and

Produce

Prescription

(Rx),

aim

to

increase

access

to

healthy

food

(allows

medical

professionals

to

prescribe

fruit

and

veg)

Washington, DC’s “Produce Prescription Program for Medicaid and Other Public Insurance Programs Grant” integrates the produce prescription program into Medicaid programs that connect patients to fresh fruits and vegetables in order to improve patient’s

health.

(p.

5)

The

DC

Healthy

People

2020

Framework

includes

programs

that

provide

financial

assistance

and

incentives

for

buying

fresh

fruits

and

vegetables.

Schools ● In New York City, Meat Free Mondays and Plant Powered Fridays have been introduced in

schools

benefiting

the

lives

of

close

to

one

million

children

in

the

NYC

public

school

system.
● Set up programs to succeed: Get students to test the meal and approve it. For example, NYC tested vegan meals with students. If they don’t like it the chef goes back to the drawing board. This ensures students enjoy the plant based meals. Emily Logan, one of the chefs who helps develop the menu, says: “I could sit here and make the best dish in the

world,

but

if

I’m

the

only

one

who

likes

it,

it’s

not

worth

it.

They

have

to

like

it.

They

have

to

want

to

eat

it.”

New

York

City

is

a

diverse

city

so

students

test

recipes

from

all

over

the

world

so

that

the

offerings

taste

like

home.

Menu

items

include

a

kidney

bean

rajma

served

with

naan,

and

jollof

cauliflower,

a

plant

based

version

of

Nigerian

dish

jollof

rice.

Lisa

Davis,

coordinator

of

kitchen

learning

and

development

for

the

Department

of

Education's

Office

of

Food

and

Nutrition

Services,

adds:

“Everything

on

the

menu,

the

students

have

had

to

say,

yes

we

like

it,

and

if

they

don’t

—

we

have

to

go

back

to

the

drawing

board

and

figure

out

why.”

● A 2017 analysis of the Oakland Unified School District’s food programs tracked the carbon and water footprints of the Oakland Unified School District’s food purchasing over two

years

as

it

implemented

programs

such

as

Lean

and

Green

Wednesdays

(focused

on

reducing

meat

and

increasing

fruits

and

vegetables),

California

Thursdays

(focused

on

local

and

regional

foods),

and

the

new

requirements

of

the

Healthy

Hunger-Free

Kids

Act.

Under

these

programs,

the

district

reduced

its

purchases

of

animal

products

by

30%.

This

reduced

the

carbon

footprint

of

the

district’s

food

services

by

14%

and

reduced

the

water

footprint

by

6%.

In

addition,

these

programs

saved

the

district

a

total

of

$42,000

or

almost

one

cent

per

meal.

The

study

also

noted

that

the

carbon

footprint

reduction

could

be

significantly

greater

if

the

district

reduced

its

purchasing

of

beef

specifically.

Environmental Law Institute: A Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans: “Encourage incorporation of food sampling across public schools and other educational institutions

for

new

plant-based

protein

menu

items

to

raise

awareness,

gauge

which

plant-based

offerings

are

most

popular,

and

garner

media

coverage.”
● In Los Angeles, a few months after the city council passed its Meatless Monday resolution,

the

Los

Angeles

Unified

School

District,

the

second

largest

public

school
district in the country, adopted Meatless Mondays in all its cafeterias.

● Edinburgh City Council’s Plant Based Treaty Action Plan includes “achieving a 20-50 per cent

reduction

in

all

meat

and

dairy

consumption

by

2050.”
– Piloting healthy plant-based snacks when delivering activities with young people

in

libraries.
– A vegetarian or vegan option is available every day in schools. Businesses ● Amsterdam is exploring promoting eating more plant based by considering rent discounts

for

plant-based

restaurants.

This

initiative

aims

to

achieve

a

60/40

plant-based

to

animal-based

food

ratio

in

the

city,

aligning

with

Amsterdam's

broader

environmental

goals.

By

incentivizing

plant-based

eateries

through

reduced

rental

costs,

the

city

hopes

to

foster

a

more

sustainable

food

culture

and

reduce

its

carbon

footprint.

This

policy

would

encourage

new

businesses

to

focus

on

plant-based

menus.

● Kate Harrison, Berkeley, “ As a councilmember focused on our climate crisis, I am collaborating, with Better Food Foundation to help your business or organization evaluate current food procurement practices and develop a plan to meet local, national, and global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets 1 through simple strategies, like serving plant-based meals by default.” ● Certification programs ○ The Little Rock Zoo and the City of Little Rock Sustainability Office have partnered on the Swing Into Action: Green Restaurant Certification Program (GRCP) Guidelines. It is our hope that the GRCP will be a useful resource to guide sustainability initiatives in your food service operation and that this program can

be

a

catalyst

for

other

green

business

initiatives.

-3

tiers:

Tier

1:

ask

first

policy,

recycling

policy,

food

policy

and

to-go

containers;

tier

2:

plant

based

for

health

(cooking

without

oil);

tier

3:

local

food
○ Green Restaurant Association Gives most points for vegan and veg options (50-100)

in

contrast

to

1 point

for

local

foods,

…
Challenges ● The Berkeley Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge is a voluntary challenge for private, institutional, and non-profit sectors to become leaders in food sustainability by reducing

the

GHG

emissions

associated

with

their

food

procurement.

The

challenge

strives

for

a

35 percent

reduction

by

2025

by

shifting

menus

away

from

animal

products

and

toward

plants.

● The Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge is a voluntary program from New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. The New York City Carbon Challenge brings together leaders in private, institutional, and nonprofit sectors who commit to reducing carbon emissions

from

buildings,

transportation

and

food,

including

from

food

purchases

by

25%

by

2030.

Proposal 11 Mandate honest labeling of food products including carbon labeling and cancer warning labels

on

all

processed

meats

which

have

been

declared

carcinogenic

by

the

World

Health

Organization
● Edinburgh City Council’s Plant Based Treaty Action Plan includes carbon labeling universities

and

schools
● Following Exmouth’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement, they are asking food vendors at their

festivals

to

cater

with

a

minimum

two

plant-based

options,

listed

prominently

at

the

top

of

the

menu

with

carbon

labeling.
● New legislation adopted by the Canadian Parliament in 2024 will regulate environmental claims

to

prevent

greenwashing

in

Canada.

On

page

429

of

the

546-page

Bill

C-59,

a

two-paragraph

amendment

to

the

Competition

Act

drastically

increased

regulation

in

this

area

by

classifying

environmental

claims

as

within

the

scope

of

deceptive

marketing

practices.

● Barcelona’s Strategy for a Healthy and Sustainable Nutrition 2030 “aims to advance regulations and labeling initiatives to favor the consumption of healthy and sustainable products

in

exchange

for

harmful

publicity

and

fake

news.

Among

other

actions,

the

goal

will

comprise

actions

towards

regulating

the

publicity

space

targeting

young

public

with

less

healthy

foods,

as

well

as

promoting

honest

labeling

regarding

the

nutritional

value

of

the

products

served

in

the

hospitality

industry.”
Proposal 12 Introduce a meat (including fish) and methane tax with proceeds funding restoration of land

destroyed

by

animal

agriculture
● Denmark plans to introduce the world’s first carbon tax on animal agriculture by 2030.

The

country

will

charge

120

DKK

(17

USD)

per

ton

of

greenhouse

gas

pollution,

rising

to

300

DKK

by

2035.
1 Proposal 13 Subsidize fruits, vegetables and legumes to make a wholefoods, plant-based diet more affordable

and

end

food

deserts

that

hurt

low

income

communities
● Lambeth Council, UK partners with the Alexandra Rose Trust to provide vouchers to families

with

children

under

five,

providing

free

fresh

fruit

and

vegetables.
● As part of a commitment for public consumption of plant-based proteins to make up

60%

of

consumption

by

2030,

Groningen,

Netherlands

will

enhance

access

to

healthier

and

more

sustainable

food

in

public

spaces

by

establishing

"pick-your-own

food

gardens".

In

various

neighborhoods

and

communities,

they

are

exploring

opportunities

to

1 https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/26/flatulent-livestock-to-incur-green-levy-in-denmark-f rom-2035

cultivate food, both on a small scale, such as planting fruit bushes in existing park areas, and

on

a

larger

scale,

through

the

development

of

urban

agriculture

projects.

They

will

actively

encourage

the

creation

of

community

gardens

and

investigate

where

municipal

land

can

be

allocated

for

local

food

initiatives,

including

pick-your-own

food

gardens

and

food

forests.

By

implementing

these

measures,

Groningen

will

bring

plant-based

food

closer

to

its

residents,

fostering

a

culture

of

sustainability

and

improving

public

health.

● In the US, Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health and the Food Trust created the Philly Food Bucks program, a healthy food incentive program, to encourage federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to use their benefits to buy

fresh

fruits

and

vegetables.

● New York City’s Health Bucks coupons for up to $10 per day can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at NYC’s more than 130 farmers markets. Mayor Adams introduced

a

program

for

the

city

that

matches

money

that

New

Yorkers

spend

on

fruit

and

vegetables

through

the

federal

Supplemental

Nutrition

Assistance

Program

(SNAP).
● Washington DC’s Produce Plus scheme offers $40 per month to spend on fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut herbs at participating farmers’ markets from early June through the end of November. Similar schemes exist in Seattle, Cleveland and Louisville. ● Reno, Nevada: City of Reno Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (p. 115) ○ 1. Collaborate with regional partners to expand acceptance of SNAP/EBT/WIC and

senior

food

assistance

benefits.

Support

and

expand

expansion

of

food

assistance

benefits,

and

require

farmers

market

organizers

to

accept

food

assistance

benefits.
○ 2. Encourage development of grocery stores in underserved communities.

Encourage

grocery

store

development

in

“food

deserts”

and

explore

opportunities

to

connect

organizations

with

the

Healthy

Food

Financing

Initiative.
○ 3. Facilitate urban farms, community gardens, farmers markets, community-supported

agriculture,

raising

of

farm

animals,

greenhouses

and

hoop

houses,

and

food

recovery.

Amend

zoning

and

land-use

regulations

to

increase

access

to

land,

streamline

licenses

and

permits,

reduce

fees,

and

provide

technical

assistance

for

urban

farms

and

community

gardens

in

parks,

neighborhoods,

blighted

lots,

and

other

locations.

Incentivize

incorporation

of

community

gardens

in

planned

residential

developments.

Support

food-recovery.
○ 4. Provide support to farmers and ranchers seeking to preserve working lands. Develop resources, provide technical assistance, and establish partnerships that maximize

federal,

state

and

local

resources

to

purchase

working

lands

and

open

spaces

or

preserve

lands

through

conservation

easements.
○ 5. Encourage expansion of direct farm-to-consumer sales. Establish a food sovereignty

coalition

—

including

agencies

such

as

TMWA

and

the

Washoe

County

Assessor

—

to

study,

identify

and

implement

sensible

and

achievable

codes,

policies

and

requirements

that

eliminate

barriers

and

reduce

costs

for

urban

farms

and

community

gardens

and

expand

local

control

of

food

grown,

processed,

and

sold

directly

to

consumers.
● Hartford, Connecticut: Provide access to local fresh food to all Hartford residents, including those reliant on public assistance such as the SNAP program.

● Michigan state has a Double Up coupon scheme to reduce economic barriers to healthier foods by matching the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

dollars

spent

on

produce.

Double

Up

has

served

over

1.1 million

low-income

families

and

partnered

with

over

500

farmers

markets

and

200

grocery

stores.
● New York City’s FRESH program offers financial incentives to neighborhood grocery stores designed to bring fresh grocery food closer to communities that often have limited access

to

fresh

grocery

food.

● A New York zoning resolution notes, in order to be a FRESH food store, 6000 plus squarefoot stores need to provide: 25% of floor area to be allocated for perishable items including

dairy,

fresh

produce,

frozen

foods

and

fresh

meats,

with

at

least

500

square

feet

dedicated

of

retail

space

designated

for

selling

fresh

produce,

which

includes

fruits

&

vegetables.

Improving

access

to

fresh

foods

in

underserved

communities

is

a

crucial

step

in

moving

food

systems

healthier,

more

equitable

and

more

sustainable.
● Washington, DC’s The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) introduced a Food Access Fund which supports new or existing businesses to open in a new business location in an area designated as having low food access.

The

purpose

is

to

increase

equitable

access

to

fresh,

healthy,

and

affordable

food

by

securing

grocery

stores,

and

restaurants.

Resource:

Good

Food

Institute

video:

Public

investments

and

alternative

proteins

in

state

and

federal

policymaking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99f9P_1dBW4 Proposal 14 Redirect government subsidies for animal agriculture, slaughterhouses and industrial fishing

to

environmentally-friendly

production

of

plant-based

food
Proposal 15 End government subsidized advertising for the meat, dairy and egg industry ● Utrecht, Bloemendaal, and Haarlem, three Dutch cities, have implemented bans on advertising

for

meat

and

dairy

products

in

public

spaces.

The

ban

is

part

of

a

broader

strategy

to

encourage

more

sustainable

and

environmentally

friendly

consumption

patterns

among

residents.

By

curbing

the

visibility

of

meat

and

dairy

advertisements,

these

cities

hope

to

shift

public

perception

and

consumption

habits

towards

plant-based

alternatives,

aligning

with

their

commitments

to

reduce

greenhouse

gas

emissions

and

promote

public

health.

The

initiative

has

sparked

a

wider

debate

on

the

role

of

advertising

in

environmental

sustainability

and

the

potential

for

similar

policies

in

other

cities

like

Amsterdam

Groningen

and

Zwolle.

Proposal 16 Create green bonds to fund a transition to a plant-based economy

● Orkla ASA, a Norwegian conglomerate operating in Europe, Asia and the US has created a Green Bond Framework, of which plant-based food is a strategic focus area. In 2020, they reported 19% of revenues came from sales of most sustainable products and sales

from

the

biggest

plant-based

brands

in

Orkla

grew

by

21%

from

the

year

before.

Proposal 17 Provide financial support and training for farmers, ranchers and fisherpeople to move away

from

animal

production

to

diversified

agroecological,

plant-based

(veganic)

systems

● A €2 billion farm retirement scheme is being considered by the Irish Government to encourage farmers to exit farming and drastically reduce cow numbers in order to meet climate

change

targets.
● In October 2024, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) launched the Farmers' Opportunities Program "Chancenprogramm Höfe” or CPH, allocating €30 million in the federal budget, to specifically support agricultural businesses in switching from

livestock

farming

to

the

production

and

processing

of

innovative

protein

and

climate-friendly

foods.

Eligible

alternatives

include

alternative

proteins

such

as

plant

proteins

or

innovative

sources

such

as

fungi

and

algae,

as

well

as

new

innovative

processing

technologies.

Demand 2 | Relinquish
Stop

the

problem

increasing
No

land

use

change,

including

deforestation,

for

animal

agriculture
Proposal 18 No building of new animal farms
● In November 2024, Berkeley, California in the US passed an ordinance to ban new factory farms within the city via Measure DD. Proposal 19 No building of new slaughterhouses ● In 2023, Alachua County Commission in the US approved a motion to stop planning for a proposed meat processing plant in Newberry, Florida. 31 people had spoken about the meat processing facility During Early Public Comment, and 74% were against the facility.

A

motion

passed

to

“direct

staff

to

discontinue

working

on

the

development

of

a

County-owned

meat

processing

facility.”

● Aden Poultry in Chicago was closed after a city inspection revealed numerous code violations. The inspection was triggered by complaints submitted by members of Slaughter

Free

Chicago

and

those

who

were

concerned

about

the

conditions

of

the

slaughterhouse.
● In 2024, Palitana, a city in the Bhavnagar district in Gujarat, India, banned the sale and consumption

of

non-vegetarian

food

and

slaughtering

of

animals

for

meat.
● In November 2024, residents in Denver, Colorado in the US were asked to cast a vote on a plan to ban slaughterhouses in the city due to their impact on workers, neighborhoods, the environment and animals. Ordinance 309 failed to pass. Denver would become the first city in the US to implement such a ban. The proposed ballot measure includes a provision for the city to prioritize affected workers in its employment assistance programs, with support from Denver’s Climate Protection Fund to transition to better

jobs.

Through

these

resources,

slaughterhouse

workers

would

have

access

to

training

and

employment

assistance

programs

to

help

them

move

into

green

industries,

providing

job

opportunities

that

are

safer,

healthier,

and

offer

more

long-term

security.

Proposal 20 No expansion or intensification of existing farms ● In 2021 the Dutch government unveiled a €25bn (£21bn) plan to halt and reverse expansion of animal agriculture. They aim to reduce the number of farmed animals in the country

due

to

nitrogen

pollution.

The

13-year

multibillion-euro

plan,

includes

paying

some

Dutch

animal

farmers

to

relocate

or

exit

the

industry,

and

helping

others

reduce

the

number

of

animals

farmed.

It

will

start

as

a

voluntary

programme,

with

compensation.

By the end of 2023 over 750 Dutch farmers had signed up for the government buy-out scheme. ● In 2021, US senator (New Jersey) Cory Booker reintroduced legislation known as the Farm System Reform Act, which would place a moratorium on new and expanding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), as well as phase out the largest ones by

2040.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/27: This bill places a moratorium on large concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs); expands country-of-origin

labeling;

and

expands

requirements

in

the

livestock,

poultry,

and

meat

markets.

Specifically,

under

the

bill,

a

large

CAFO

may

not

commence

or

expand

operations

and,

after

January

1,

2041,

may

not

continue

to

operate.

Further,

the

Department

of

Agriculture

must

provide

grants

to

eligible

animal

feed

operation

(AFO)

owners

to

pay

off

related

debt

and

to

transition

the

property

to

alternative

agriculture

activities.The

bill

also

expands

country-of-origin

labeling

requirements

to

include

beef,

pork,

and

dairy

products.
● In Flanders, Belgium, the Flemish Land company (Vlaamse Landmaatschappij, VLM) has introduced a voluntary cessation scheme for pig farms to reduce the pig population by

30%.

By

discontinuing

pig

farms

and

canceling

the

associated

nutrient

emission

rights, the Flemish Government wants to significantly reduce ammonia emissions in Flanders.

In

doing

so,

pig

farms

with

a

higher

impact

score

(SME's)

and

who

will

demolish

their

pig

stable

will

first

be

eligible

for

the

cessation,

so

that

a

maximum

positive

impact

on

the

habitat

and

species

within

the

special

protection

areas

is

realized.

After

a

first

call

for

voluntary

abandonment

for

pig

farms

with

an

impact

score

higher

than

0.5%, the Flemish Government has decided to organize a second call for pig farms with an impact score higher than 0.025%. The period to submit an application for the cessation

scheme

runs

from

November

6,

2023

to

January

19,

2024.

There

have

been

340

applications.

209

pig

farmers

came

from

West

Flanders.

In

Antwerp,

47 farmers

applied,

in

Limburg

28,

in

East

Flanders

51 and

Flemish

Brabant

5. After

the

eligible

farms

receive

an

offer

from

the

Flemish

Land

Agency,

they

have

one

year

to

cease

operations,

empty

the

stables

and

remove

the

barn

equipment,

have

the

environmental

permit

modified

and

claim

the

cessation

fee.

Of

the

236

pig

farmers

who

applied

at

the
first call, 11 have effectively ceased operations.

Proposal 21 No conversion of plant-based agriculture to animal agriculture ● The European Commission approved a €1.47 billion scheme to buy out Dutch farmers to reduce nitrogen emissions: “ The measures will contribute to the EU's strategic objectives relating to the European Green Deal… The schemes, which can run until 27 February 2028, are open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers in the Netherlands

that

voluntarily

close

their

breeding

sites,

provided

that

their

current

nitrogen

deposition

load

exceeds

certain

minimum

levels

…the beneficiaries commit to the
definitive

closure

of

their

livestock

production.

This

commitment

also

binds

any

future

purchaser

or

user

of

the

livestock

site

concerned.” Proposal 22 No conversion of any land for animal feed production ● In June 2020, Norway banned the cultivation of peatlands to protect critical carbon sinks (p. 14). Historically land conversion from peatland to cropland has been extensive (p. 96).

Proposal 23 No clearing of forests or other ecosystems for animal grazing, animal rearing or animal farming

of

any

kind

● The European Union’s regulation, which will apply from December 30, 2024, bans the import of products linked to deforestation, including meat from areas where forests are cleared for cattle farming. This law would require companies importing animal products into

the

EU

to

ensure

they

are

not

contributing

to

illegal

deforestation

.

Proposal 24 No new fish farms or expansion of existing aquaculture farms ● Argentina’s southernmost province Tierra del Fuego, has banned the use of intensive open-net

salmon

farms

due

to

serious

concerns

about

the

impact

they

could

have

on

the

marine

environment

and

local

economy.

The

approval

of

the

bill

halted

plans

to

create

what

would

have

been

Argentina’s

first

intensive

salmon

farm,

in

the

Beagle

Channel,

which

runs

along

the

country’s

south

coast.

The

decision

taken

by

the

provincial

legislature

in

Tierra

del

Fuego,

followed

campaigns

and

demonstrations

by

locals

and
effectively bans salmon farming in Argentina, according to the Buenos Aires Times. The ban covers the maritime jurisdictions and lakes of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South

Atlantic

Islands

—

an

area

with

around

175,000

inhabitants.
● Canada will ban open-net salmon farms off the coast of British Columbia by the middle of 2029 in order to help protect dwindling wild Pacific salmon populations. ● Washington state banned octopus farms and California also banned octopus farms. A proposed bill would to ban octopus farming in the U.S. Congress Proposal 25 Protection of Indigenous Peoples; their land, rights and knowledge ● Vancouver’s Climate Justice Charter states, “Recognize and accept Indigenous sovereignty as a foundation of climate justice” as one of their goal towards climate justice.

This

includes:
- Making staff, resources, and budgets widely available to the Host Nations and urban Indigenous

communities

to

support

their

leadership

in

climate

action

and

stewardship

goals

on

their

terms,

without

taking

ownership

of

the

decision-making

process.
- Participating in ongoing decolonization and reconciliation processes (tangible reparations

such

as

returning

lands

and

waters

to

Musqueam,

Squamish,

and

Tsleil-Waututh

Nations

with

potential

areas

for

their

exclusive

cultural

and

spiritual

uses;

adopting

Indigenous-led

land

and

water

guardian

programs

that

include

environmental

monitoring,

enforcement

and

fines

for

overharvesting

or

pollution;

supporting

Indigenous-led

environmental

organizations

and

validating

the

efforts

of

existing

environmental

organizations;

reviving

Indigenous

land-use

names;

supporting

the

documentation

of

Indigenous

knowledge

in

relation

to

climate.)
Proposal 26 Ban all live exports ● In 2022, Luxembourg banned exports of “slaughter animals” to countries outside the EU. ● In 2023, Brazil banned live cattle exports and New Zealand banned all live exports. ● In 2024, live exports were banned in the UK.

Proposal 27 No new large-scale industrial fishing vessels In Lyme Bay, Dorset, UK bottom trawling by industrial fishing vessels was banned, with academic research finding that the number and diversity of species rose in the bay in the decade after the marine protection zone was established. Marine conservationists say Lyme Bay's

approach

should

be

replicated

because

it

outright

bans

destructive

bottom

trawling,

setting

it

apart

from

most

other

Marine

Protection

Areas

(MPAs)

across

Britain

and

Europe,

which

tend

to

have

narrower

or

limited

restrictions.”
2 Demand 3 | Restore
Actively

healing

the

problem

while

building

resilience

and

mitigating

climate

change
Restore

key

ecosystems

and

reforest

the

earth
Proposal 28 Reforestation projects to be rolled out in appropriate ecosystems using native tree species

to

restore

habitats

to

a

previously

similar

state
● The Livelihood Projects in San Francisco exemplify reforestation in urban areas using native

species

to

restore

habitats.

Initiated

to

counteract

environmental

damage

from

Hurricane

Harvey,

this

program

focuses

on

planting

native

trees

that

are

well-suited

to

the

local

ecosystem,

ensuring

sustainability

and

ecological

integrity.

By

involving

the

community,

the

project

not

only

revitalizes

green

spaces

but

also

enhances

biodiversity

and

carbon

absorption,

aligning

closely

with

the

goals

of

restoring

habitats

to

their

original

state.

www.livelihood.eco/projects
Proposal 29 Reforestation and restoration of the oceans is prioritized by designating additional areas of

the

oceans

as

zero

fishing

Marine

Protected

Areas

(known

as

Highly

Protected

Marine

Areas

–

HPMAs)
● Cabo Pulmo National Park in the Gulf of California showcases the effectiveness of Highly

Protected

Marine

Areas

(HPMAs).

Established

in

1995

to

protect

the

only

coral

reef

in

the

area,

the

park

has

seen

a

remarkable

ecological

revival,

largely

due

to

local

community

support

and

a

shift

towards

eco-tourism.

Marine

life,

including

large

predators,

has

thrived,

with

a

reported

increase

in

fish

biomass

of

over

460%

in

ten

years.

This

transformation

has

bolstered

eco-tourism,

providing

sustainable

economic

benefits

to

the

local

community

while

enhancing

fish

populations

in

surrounding

areas

through

spillover

effects.

2 https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL8N3706KS/

Proposal 30 All existing Marine Protected Areas should be declared strictly no fishing zones and converted

to

HPMAs
Measures to ban all types of fishing in a protected area are known as marine reserves or sanctuaries, or ‘no-take’ areas. Inside no-take areas, fish are protected to allow populations to recover. ● In Scotland, the government has initiated a consultation process to potentially convert existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) into Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs).

These

HPMAs

would

impose

stricter

protections,

banning

all

forms

of

fishing,

aquaculture,

and

the

establishment

of

new

infrastructures

such

as

offshore

wind

turbines,

ports,

and

harbours

within

designated

zones.

This

proposal

is

part

of

a

broader

effort

to

enhance

the

conservation

of

marine

biodiversity

and

to

manage

the

marine

environment

more

sustainably.

Proposal 31 Active programs rolled out to replant critical carbon absorbers in the oceans, such as seagrass

beds
● In 2022, a UK’s largest government-led seagrass restoration project hit a new milestone by planting 70,000 seed bags spanning 3.5 hectares of seabed in the south of England, providing

vital

habitat

for

marine

life.

● The Ocean Foundation's SeaGrass Grow program actively replants critical carbon absorbers

like

seagrass

to

improve

ocean

health.

It

promotes

Blue

Carbon

benefits,

which

include

carbon

sequestration

and

enhanced

marine

biodiversity,

improving

local

water

quality

and

supporting

local

economies.

Notable

projects

include

the

expansion

of

seagrass

beds

in

Puerto

Rico's

Jobos

Bay

and

the

large-scale

Virginia

Seagrass

Restoration,

which

has

significantly

improved

water

clarity

and

marine

life

diversity.

These

initiatives

illustrate

the

potential

of

seagrass

restoration

in

combating

climate
change and restoring marine ecosystems. https://oceanfdn.org Proposal 32 Restore key degraded ecosystems which are essential for carbon sequestration cycles:
mangroves,

peat

bogs,

forests,

some

types

of

grassland.
● The Mangrove Restoration for Carbon Offsetting project in Vanua Levu, Fiji, focuses on enhancing 46,600 hectares of mangroves to improve carbon sequestration and protect coastal

communities

from

climate-related

impacts.

This

initiative

collaboratively

involves

local

communities,

incorporating

traditional

knowledge

and

modern

conservation

practices

to

restore

and

sustain

mangrove

ecosystems.

The

project

supports

local

economies

and

biodiversity

through

community-based

nurseries

and

habitat

restoration,

ensuring

the

long-term

viability

of

these

crucial

coastal

areas.

Proposal 33 Focus shift on nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. ● Cities around the world from Paris, France, to Islamabad, Pakistan, and Uttarakhand, India, are using the Miyawaki method to create urban forests with native plant species. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Pakistan, is planning to plant 300 small forests in different parts of the city using the Miyawaki Method. Kent County, England created a Miyawaki Method Handbook as a guide.

A semi-circle shaped plot with smaller standard practice planting trees on the left and taller Miyawaki method trees on the right. Photo taken in August 2024, three and a half years after planting. ● Governor of New York Kathy Hochul announced more than $8.5 million has been awarded

for

the

development

of

innovative

nature-based

solutions

to

lower

emissions
and sequester carbon through Round 1 of the Natural Carbon Solutions Innovation Challenge. Proposal 34 Subsidies made available for farmers and landowners who practice good land stewardship

and

are

actively

restoring

the

land

and

the

associated

ecosystem

services

(such

as

carbon

sequestration,

biodiversity,

flood

defence,

general

climate

change

resilience)
● In the United States, the USDA's programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) provide subsidies to farmers

implementing

sustainable

practices

that

support

land

restoration

and

ecosystem

services.

Funded

by

the

Inflation

Reduction

Act,

these

initiatives

offer

financial

and

technical

assistance

to

promote

soil

health,

enhance

water

quality,

and

boost

carbon

sequestration.

Proposal 35 Subsidies made available for rewilding and reforestation projects ● In the United Kingdom, the government has implemented the Nature for Climate Fund, which

offers

subsidies

for

large-scale

reforestation

and

rewilding

projects

aimed

at

tackling climate change and restoring biodiversity. This fund supports landowners, farmers,

and

community

groups

to

plant

trees

and

restore

habitats

through

financial

grants.

For

example,

the

England

Woodland

Creation

Offer

within

this

fund

provides

payments

for

woodland

creation,

aiming

to

increase

carbon

sequestration

and

biodiversity

while

enhancing

flood

defenses

and

improving

air

quality.

These

subsidies

reflect

a

policy

shift

towards

incentivizing

ecological

restoration

as

part

of

the

UK’s

broader

environmental

and

climate

goals.

Proposal 36 Incentivized subsidies / grants for farmers to switch from animal agriculture to diversified plant

production
● In the Netherlands, the government has introduced subsidies through its Transition Fund for

Agriculture,

designed

to

help

farmers

shift

from

traditional

animal

agriculture

to

plant-based

production

systems.

This

fund

provides

financial

support

and

grants

to

farmers

interested

in

diversifying

their

crops,

particularly

focusing

on

sustainable

plant-based

proteins.

By

offering

these

incentives,

the

Dutch

government

aims

to

reduce

livestock-related

emissions

and

environmental

impact

while

supporting

farmers

in

transitioning

to

more

climate-friendly

agricultural

practices.

This

policy

is

part

of

the

Netherlands'

commitment

to

meeting

national

climate

goals

and

enhancing

sustainable

food

production.

Proposal 37 Cities: increase trees and wildflowers, increase green community projects, wildlife corridors,

green

rooftops,

local

growing

schemes,

work

towards

biodiversity

increases
● In Singapore, the City in Nature initiative actively increases urban greenery through tree planting, wildflower meadows, and community-driven green projects. This program focuses

on

enhancing

biodiversity

with

wildlife

corridors,

green

rooftops,

and

local

farming

schemes,

integrating

nature

into

city

infrastructure.

Through

the

creation

of

interconnected

green

spaces,

Singapore

aims

to

support

native

wildlife,

improve

air

quality,

and

enhance

urban

residents’

well-being.

This

initiative

exemplifies

a

policy-driven

approach

to

urban

biodiversity

and

sustainability,

positioning

Singapore

as

a

leader

in

blending

nature

with

urban

development.
● Barcelona’s Strategy for a Healthy and Sustainable Nutrition 2030 “aims to expand spaces for urban agriculture as green spaces for awareness raising, experimentation, as well

as

health

and

community

action.

Among

other

actions,

this

goal

will

comprise

the

facilitation

of

effective

tools

to

promote

green

roofs,

urban

gardens,

grant

protection

for

the

ones

that

already

exist,

and

create

seed

banks.

It

will

also

increase

the

presence

of

edible

plants

within

the

city’s

green

infrastructure,

as

well

as

developing

gardens

in

schools.”

In

addition,

“Barcelona

aims

to

promote

legal

frameworks

that

facilitate,

promote,

and

protect

the

spaces

for

urban

agriculture

as

essential

spaces

to

protect

biodiversity

and

agrodiversity.”

Proposal 38 Enhance food justice by providing access to healthy food for all, especially low-income communities.

● Exmouth Town Council’s Plant Based Treaty motion includes enhancing food justice by supporting projects that provide access to healthy food for all, especially low-income communities,

in

particular

supporting

projects

like

Mushroom,

a

food

community

network

in

Exmouth.
● Lambeth Council’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement included the promotion of plant-based

foods

as

a

key

element

in

their

Food

Poverty

and

Insecurity

Action

Plan,

as

well

as

their

broader

work

on

food

and

health.

“This

includes

continuing

to

deliver

programmes

that

promote

and

improve

accessibility

to

plant-based

foods.

For

example,

fruit

and

vegetable

intake

is

promoted

to

children

and

their

families

through

school-based

activities,

local

fruit

and

veg

vouchers

are

distributed

to

vulnerable

households,

and

the

Healthy

Start

Scheme

is

actively

promoted

for

those

who

are

eligible.”
● City of Edinburgh Council (Catering, Food & Health) is promoting education around food waste

in

schools

(e.g.

based

on

Zero

Waste

Scotland,

Guardians

of

Globe’s

resources

etc.).

They

are

exploring

options

to

allow

pupils

to

take

any

fresh

(uncooked)

left-overs

from

the

counter

back

home

at

the

end

of

the

day

to

reduce

food

waste.

(Edinburgh

Plant

Based

Treaty

Action

Plan

-

Food

waste

reduction

section).
● In India, two projects in Mumbai’s Nature Based Solutions Accelerator sparked large-scale changes in the city. Both projects involved growing rooftop gardens on schools

to

address

urban

heat

and

provide

fresh

vegetables

for

student

lunches.

Following the success of these pilots, over 250 schools in the city will now develop their own rooftop gardens. ● Carrboro’s Town Council’s Carrboro Connects 2022-2042 Comprehensive Plan includes a

chapter

on

climate:

“Improve

access

to

local

healthy

food

options

such

as

fresh

fruits

and

vegetables

to

all

community

members.

Local

food

production

reduces

carbon

emissions

due

to

the

reduction

in

transportation.

Analyze

future

community

garden

sites,

such

as

one

for

the

residents

of

southern

Carrboro

near

Berryhill

Dr

&

Rose

Walk

Ln.

Partner

with

local

organizations

to

educate

residents

on

how-to

increase

plant

use

in

diets.”
Proposal 39 Repurpose available land freed up from animal grazing and animal feed production for:
rewilding,

reforestation

(if

appropriate),

returning

land

to

Indigenous

people,

nature

reserves,

hiking

zones,

community

growing,

allotments

(if

appropriate),

agroecological

veganic

food

growing

(where

possible).
● Dorset Council applied for a grant from the UK government to purchase a dairy farm for rewilding. In a statement, the council said the current intensive use as a dairy farm was "not

ideal"

as

it

suffered

from

run-off

and

soil

erosion.

They

said,

“The

land

is

ideally

located to deliver both nutrient reduction and nature recovery in the headwaters of the River

Hooke.

Changing

its

use

to

woodland

or

rewilding

can

reduce

nitrates

as

required

and

could

be

achieved

with

little

investment."
Proposal 40 Shift of some land ownership into community hands so the land can be repurposed for reforestation,

green

space

and

community

food

gardens

and

allotments
● Both Norwich, UK and Hoboken, New Jersey’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement included a commitment to “Work with community groups across the city to promote the establishment

of

new

and

appropriate

community

gardens

and

orchards.

Identify

previously

derelict

land,

so

that

these

sites

can

be

appropriately

assessed

and

brought

back

into

beneficial

use

to

meet

the

wider

demands

posed

by

the

social,

economic,

and

environmental

crisis,

including

that

of

supporting

the

growth

of

cheap

and

accessible

plant-based

food

and

drinks

for

all

our

communities.”
___________________________________________________ Cities calling on other cities to endorse the Plant Based Treaty ● As part of the Edinburgh Plant Based Treaty Action Plan (Influence and leadership section), the Council Leader and Lord Provost at the City of Edinburgh Council wrote “a letter

to

all

of

the

City

of

Edinburgh

Council’s

sister

and

twin

cities

(where

appropriate),

as

well

as

to

metro

mayors

to

encourage

them

to

endorse

the

Plant-Based

treaty.”
● In March 2023, Edinburgh Council leader participated in the Eurocities Food Cities campaign, encouraging all European cities to follow Edinburgh's example and endorse the call for a Plant-based Treaty.

Cities calling for a global Plant Based Treaty
Cities can implement plant-based policies themselves, but we also need a global Plant Based Treaty.

Leading

Plant

Based

Treaty

cities

are

playing

a

key

role

in

creating

pressure

for

the

global

treaty:

● Following Hoboken, New Jersey’s Plant Based Treaty endorsement, the city requested the Mayor of Hoboken to write to the NJDEP to confirm Hoboken has endorsed the call for

a

global

Plant

Based

Treaty

and

encourages

the

US

Government

to

do

so

too.
● When Belfast endorsed the Plant Based Treaty, the city agreed to write to the Northern Ireland

Assembly

and

“call

for

a

further

endorsement

of

the

Plant

Based

Treaty

and

for

a

greater

commitment

to

further

transitioning

towards

more

sustainable

plant-based

food

systems.

● As part of the Edinburgh Plant Based Treaty Action Plan (Influence and leadership section),

the

Council

Leader

at

City

of

Edinburgh

Council

wrote

“a

letter

to

the

First

Minister

to

encourage

the

Scottish

Government

to

support

the

Plant-Based

Treaty.”
● When Los Angeles endorsed the Plant Based Treaty they included in their “2021-2022 Federal

Legislative

Program

support

for

the

United

States

to

enter

into

a

Plant

Based

Treaty

and

make

a

plant-based

approach

to

food

and

food

purchasing

a

centerpiece

of

its

greenhouse

gas

emission

policy.”