A town has pledged to turn vegan by shifting to plant-based meals for its pupils and patients.
Haywards Heath in West Sussex, with a population if 34,000, is vowing to offer vegan-only options in its schools and hospitals and will also give awards to those making the move.
It is the first in Europe to sign the Plant Based Treaty, joining cities including Buenos Aires, Argentina and Boynton Beach, Florida and across the US.
The Treaty demands communities move away from animal farming, with backers including committed vegetarian Sir Paul McCartney, 80, who has urged governments to get on board.
Experts say doing so dramatically reduces the environmental impact of our diets.
Dr Richard Nicholson, Green Party councillor for Haywards Heath, said about the pledge helping the planet amid this summer’s heatwaves and floods: ‘The Climate Crisis is no longer a distant future threat, but an existential crisis that is upon us in 2022.
‘The South East of England has endured the highest ever summer temperatures in history and people’s properties have been destroyed by fire and flood.
‘We cannot wait for governments – we must all act immediately – and moving to a plant-based diet is the most impactful thing any individual can do to help address the grave situation we face.’
He urged others to follow suit, adding: ‘I’d encourage all Town, District, County and Metro councils to sign the Plant Based Treaty immediately.’
Hayward Heath Town Council is launching an awards programme for businesses and schools to encourage them to ditch meat and reduce food waste.
Other demands of the treaty include the subsidising of fruit and vegetables, a ban on live exports and no conversion of land to animal farming or animal feed production.
While Haywards Heath’s town council isn’t able to build solar farms or wind turbines, they plan to educate the community to reduce their CO2 emissions, improve health levels and reduce the cost of bills.
And while locals will not be forced to take part, the councillors are among 100 from almost 60 towns Britain to sign the petition, including those from the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats.
Twenty MPs signed an Early Day Motion which included the Plant Based Treaty and called for the UK to recognise the negative impact of animal farming on climate change.
A further petition of 5,000 signatures has called on Glastonbury, Somerset, to also sign up.
Nicola Harris, communications director at Plant Based Treaty, said: ‘Haywards Heath’s decision to call for urgent global action on plant-based solutions to the climate crisis demonstrates true leadership.
‘It will be welcomed by those experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change.
‘We need local, national and international cooperation to reduce food-related emissions through a shift to plant-based diets, boosted by action on food waste.’
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