Council is London’s first to support ‘Plant Based Treaty’

A council has endorsed a “Plant Based Treaty”, becoming the first London borough to join the initiative that aims to tackle food-related emissions. 

Lambeth council has pledged to improve access to plant-based foods among residents, as it hopes to promote food security, better health and lower emissions.

The Plant Based Treaty is a campaign calling on businesses and local authorities to put pressure on the government to negotiate an international Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the UNFCCC Paris Agreement – the international treaty on climate change created in 2015. 

In a statement, the council said it will support the treaty by working with community groups to create new community gardens, promoting plant-based foods with school-based activities distributing fruit and vegetable vouchers to vulnerable households.

The council also said it will be measuring and reducing food-based emissions and supporting businesses that prioritise sustainable agriculture practices.

Councillor Jim Dickson, Lambeth’s cabinet member for healthier communities said: “As a sector, food and agriculture is a leading carbon emitter, accounting for a third of global greenhouse gases. 

“Food is also linked to half of human-induced biodiversity loss and is a decisive factor on the health and wellbeing of citizens. 

“Recognising this, Lambeth council is endorsing the principles of the Plant Based Treaty and committing to actions that we can take forward as a London Local Authority.”

The Plant Based Treaty aims to put food systems at the centre of the international plan to combat the climate crisis to stop the damage of critical ecosystems.

Since its launch in August 2021, the initiative has received support from 120,000 individual endorsers and more than 3000 groups and businesses.

Pictured top: Plant Based Treaty Cow near Tower Bridge (Picture: Plant Based Treaty)