Coherent policies at all levels for climate protection NOW!
Around the world, consumers are leading the way in transitioning towards plant-based proteins. It is now up to policy makers to take the climate crisis seriously and address plant-rich diets as a climate-crisis mitigation strategy in the Paris Agreement.
What should governments do in the lead up to COP27?
Catering
Are key public institutions and schools serving enough plant-based meal options?
Further Info
Increasing the availability and affordability of plant-based foods is one of the keys to encourage a shift in consumer behavior. Serving predominantly plant-based foods in cafeterias and catering helps to establish plant-centric diets as a cultural norm. Several institutions and agencies, including the German Ministry of Environment, have already started walking the talk. What about goverment departments and agencies in your country?
Solution
Subsidies and a just transition
Is your government supporting industrial animal agriculture financially?
Further Info
Industrial animal agriculture has expanded massively in the last few decades, essentially because of the huge injection of subsidies that use taxpayers’ money. These subsidies are one of the key obstacles to shifting current food production towards a less resource-intensive model. At the European level, the – promising but insufficient – Farm to Fork Strategy is a first step towards more sustainable farming practices. The consensus on the negative impacts of industrial animal agriculture has grown rapidly over the last few years. Is your government helping farmers transition towards increased production of plant-based protein?
Solution
Support
What about public money for climate-friendly plant-based innovations?
Further Info
Plant-based food innovations have helped many consumers to reduce their intake of animal-sourced protein. This often brings many health benefits and helps reduce food emissions as these plant-based alternatives nearly always have a far lower greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint than animal-based equivalents. Is your government supporting food innovation by providing subsidies and a plant-friendly legislative and economic environment?
Solution
National Dietary Guidelines
Is your government supporting plant-rich guidelines?
Further Info
Food-based dietary guidelines (also known as National Dietary Guidelines) establish a basis for public health and nutrition and fostering healthy habits and lifestyles. These guidelines are occasionally updated to take into account the latest scientific evidence. Do National Dietary Guidelines in your country encourage sustainable and healthy eating, and will they be reviewed in the near future?
Solution
Taxation
Are animal-sourced products fairly taxed when compared to healthy and climate-friendly foods?
Further Info
In order to reduce the consumption of a certain category of products, taxation can be very helpful, as has been shown in the case of tobacco. Currently, some countries have a higher tax rate on processed plant-based products than on meat, thereby indirectly subsidizing and supporting less sustainable and more resource-intensive food products (Germany, for example, taxes processed plant-based products at a rate of 19%, while meat is taxed at just 7%). Is your government willing to make animal-sourced products more expensive – thereby reflecting the actual cost of production – while increasing the availability and affordability of plant-based products?
Solution
Labelling
Are the impacts of animal-based products on health, environment, and animal welfare transparently communicated to consumers?
Further Info
Food labeling can help to raise consumers’ awareness about the impact of their lifestyles. It also provides valuable product information to consumers and helps them to make informed and independent purchasing decisions. In some countries, some labeling already exists (Nutriscore etc.). Has your government implemented comprehensive labelling on food products in order to raise consumer awareness about the impact of the food we eat on health, the environment, and animal welfare?
Solution
Climate change doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By shifting to a more plant-based diet, YOU can tackle the climate crisis with your fork today. Take action NOW.
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I pledge to reduce my carbon footprint through my diet and inspire others to take action.
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