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Why this action matters
Backed by researchExplicit plant-based procurement targets are justified because evidence shows high consumption of animal-based foods is associated with greater environmental impacts, including higher greenhouse gas emissions and land use, while plant-based diets can reduce these impacts. Studies indicate that transitioning to plant-based diets can significantly lower the environmental footprint of food systems, supporting the need for policy-driven shifts toward more sustainable dietary patterns.
Concept connections
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What this action would change
Backed by researchThe action itself
Setting quantified, time-bound targets for the proportion of protein or food spend sourced from plant-based or plant-rich foods in public catering ensures a structured shift toward more sustainable food procurement practices.
What it would change in the UK
In the UK, this action would drive measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and land use associated with food procurement, as plant-based diets are shown to have significantly lower environmental impacts compared to animal-based diets, particularly in terms of emissions and land use.
What it would change worldwide
UK leadership in setting such targets could influence global food systems by promoting the adoption of similar procurement strategies, contributing to broader climate and biodiversity goals, and encouraging the scaling of sustainable food production practices worldwide.
Where national politics stands
Nothing recorded yetWhat councils have decided (17)
Supporting — 6
The research behind it
Published research about food and farming as a whole, not this action in particular
We are holding this summary back until we have checked it
This summary was written before we started checking summaries against the papers they cite, so it has not been checked.
Research and reports on this action
Food Supply
UK Health Security Agency - HECC · 2023
Open the full report to read the findings ↗
“There is a strong relationship between the amount of animal-based foods in a diet and its environmental impact, including GHG emissions, land use, water use, eutrophication and biodiversity. Dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a substantial contribution to reduction of the UK environmental footprint. Uncertainty due to region of origin and methods of food production do not obscure these differences between diet groups and should not be a barrier to policy action aimed at reducing animal-based food consumption.”
Vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters in the UK show discrepant environmental impacts
Nature Food · 2023
Research that argues the other way
We are holding this summary back until we have checked it
This summary was written before we started checking summaries against the papers they cite, so it has not been checked.