With greenhouse gas emissions from our global food system increasingly recognised as a major contributor to the growing climate emergency, UK charity, the Vegetarian Society has today become the latest organisation to endorse the global Plant Based Treaty.
The charity is adding its voice to a growing range of celebrities, athletes, politicians, campaign groups and cities (including Los Angeles and recently Edinburgh) who are backing the Treaty.
With our current demand for meat and dairy driving not only the climate emergency but also extensive biodiversity loss and large-scale deforestation, it’s clear that urgent action is needed now.
Richard McIlwain, Chief Executive of the Vegetarian Society, said: “We are the generation that needs to get serious about the climate crisis. The time for talking is over. With our current global food system accounting for around one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, we are proud to be a signatory to the Plant Based Treaty and stand ready to play our role in the transition away from animal agriculture to a kinder, healthier and more sustainable future.”
The adoption of a Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement will put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis. The Treaty aims to halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems caused by animal agriculture, to promote a shift to more healthy, sustainable plant-based diets and to actively reverse damage done to planetary functions, ecosystem services and biodiversity.
The Vegetarian Society is the world’s oldest campaigning vegetarian organisation, supported by high profile patrons including Paul, Stella and Mary McCartney. It campaigns for a kinder, healthier and more sustainable food system without the need for animal agriculture.
