Charity & Campaigns

Two brown cows/ cattle

© Mosa Meat

Animal Rights Switzerland Sets Out Vision to Make the Country Vegan

Campaign group Animal Rights Switzerland has launched a project outlining how the country could become animal-friendly. The group describes how meat and dairy products could be produced through cultivation and fermentation technologies, removing the need for animal agriculture. Slaughterhouses could then be repurposed, or turned into museums. Recreational fishermen could remove litter from rivers rather than catching fish, or focus on monitoring and photographing aquatic life. Contraceptives could be used to prevent wild animals such as deer from becoming overpopulated, removing the need for hunting. To make clothing, leather and petroleum-derived materials would be replaced with alternatives such as mushroom or apple leather, and plant-based alternatives to wool would also be used. Animal protection laws would be updated to totally forbid harming and killing animals. …

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Group of demonstrators on road, young people fight for climate change - Global warming and enviroment concept - Focus on banner

© DisobeyArt

Call to Action: Prioritise Funding for Alt Protein Over Livestock Production to Drive Change

The EU’s agricultural promotion policy must focus more on healthy plant-based diets. Instead, it provides more funding for the livestock sector, which pollutes and depletes waterways, and is responsible for 17% of carbon emissions of the region, said Falk Hemsing, international policy officer at ProVeg and co-author of a report recently published by the Smart Protein project.  To address the climate crisis, the EU should promote alternative proteins and encourage Europeans to switch towards plant-based diets, argues ProVeg International.  “Animal agriculture also contributes to lifestyle diseases, global hunger, and animal suffering so replacing animal products with plant-based and cultivated foods offers the EU a multi-pronged solution to these problems,” adds Juliette Tronchon, senior policy and public affairs specialist at ProVeg and also co-author of the report. …

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abillion vegan app

© abillion

abillion Celebrates Fifth Anniversary, Surpassing $2.8M in Donations & 1M Downloads

Sustainability platform abillion is celebrating its five-year anniversary, along with the achievement of a number of significant milestones. The abillion app has now been downloaded a million times, while the company has broken records by donating over $2.8 million to global impact partners in more than 180 countries worldwide. These donations have helped to create impact for animals, children, and the environment. abillion has also raised over $17 million of investment since its inception, recently closing its first ever community investment round where 290 members worldwide invested over $500,000. The company has grown by 20 times over the past two years. “At abillion, we’re working to inspire people to discover purpose and values through the things all of us do every day,” says founder and …

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Coconut and almond - Endangered Species lifestyle

© EDC

Endangered Species Chocolate Celebrates 30 Years, Makes 30 Donations to Charities Protecting Earth’s Species & Habitats

Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) of Indianapolis is celebrating 30 years of business by making 30 donations to charities that seek to protect Earth’s species and habitats. ESC reports that since 2016 it has contributed over $3.1 million to its partners globally, giving 10% of annual net profits to impactful organizations. The majority of the brand’s portfolio of 46 products is vegan (note that there are some milk chocolate products in the range so be aware when purchasing) and includes a range of oat milk chocolate bars, 3 oz. chocolate bars, single-serve grab-n-go bars, and baking chips. Throughout 2023, ESC will provide monetary donations to charities including SEE Turtles, One Tree Planted, and Saving The Blue. Previous donations include the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund, Xerces Foundation, …

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Eat a Whole Lot More Plants Campaign logo

Image: nyc.gov

NYC Launches “Eat A Whole Lot More Plants” Campaign to Promote Healthy Eating

A new campaign called “Eat A Whole Lot More Plants” has launched in New York City to encourage citizens to adopt a healthy, balanced diet. Ads for the campaign will run on television, radio, subways, NYCLink, outdoor media, and digital channels. The ads will explain the benefits of whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts, highlighting their nutrient density and lack of sodium, added sugar, or unhealthy fats. There will also be an emphasis on the role of plant-based foods in preventing chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. The campaign will explore simple swaps such as replacing meat with beans, and will suggest culturally diverse plant-based meals. Advice and support will be provided to those …

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ProVeg NFH

Image: ProVeg International

Use Veggie Challenge to Drive Plant-Based Sales

In the last few years, meat-free campaigns have proven to be one of the most effective ways to attract flexitarian consumers to plant-based eating. They’re seen as a fun way for consumers to try out novel foods as well as a means to challenge themselves and do something ‘good’ for their health, the planet, and animals. Challenges offer an ideal opportunity for businesses to tap into a demographic of first-time samplers who might be averse to purchasing plant-based products at other times of the year. They also offer businesses the perfect opportunity to further engage existing customers and drive sales even higher. In their recent informational, ProVeg International highlights some of the most successful meat-free challenges around the world and uncovers the best ways for businesses …

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ProVeg NFH

Image: ProVeg International

Europe Needs Alternative Protein Innovators

This Europe Day (9th May 2023), ProVeg International and the EU-funded Smart Protein Project are raising awareness of the need for sustainable food production in our changing world.  Europe Day marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration, which set out revolutionary minister Robert Schuman’s idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe. This ultimately led to the creation of today’s European Union.  Essentially, the anniversary represents peace and prosperity across Europe – a harmony that could be threatened by growing global crises, like pandemics, weather extremes, dwindling planetary natural resources, and food insecurities.  In its recent New Food Hub article, ProVeg International focuses on Europe Day to highlight the potential for alternative proteins within Europe and the further world. Alt-proteins made from …

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Stirling University student's union goes plant-based

© Animal Rebellion

Universities Increasingly Join Plant-Based Movement in a “Victory for the Climate”

Many UK universities have passed motions to join the plant-based movement by switching to 100% plant-based options or reducing the animal-derived foods offered at their cafeterias, reports Animal Aid. These initiatives are in response to the student-led Plant-Based Universities campaign (PBU). Using the phrase “Plant-based universities, end the climate crisis”, the campaign encourages higher education institutes to remove animal products from their menus to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.  UK universities at the forefront The following universities have adopted vegan catering or reduced the sale of animal products: Recently, The University of Birmingham voted in favour of a motion to have 60% plant-based catering by the next academic year, with a 10% increase each year until all meals become 100% animal-free. In March, Queen Mary …

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China Vegan Society introduces Vegan Food Certification Program

© Image courtesy of China Vegan Society

China Vegan Society Introduces Vegan Food Certification Program, Reveals First Successful Applicants

The vegan movement in China is gaining momentum, as seen with the launch of the China Vegan Food Certification (CVFC) program on March 31, 2023. Developed over two years by a committee led by the China Vegan Society, the Beijing Soybean Foods Association, and the China Biodiversity Conservation & Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), the CVFC offers two certifications for vegan products: the Vegan Food Certification and the Vegan & Pungent-Free Food Certification.  The CVFC was created to standardize vegan claims within the Chinese market, increase transparency and consumer trust in vegan products, and encourage consumers and food producers to make animal-free choices.  The new certification aligns with international vegan standards and offers a subcategory for in-demand “Buddhist-friendly” vegan products, explains the China Vegan Society. Currently, …

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EU Citizen Initiative asks for vegan alternatives available everywhere

© Schouten Europe

European Citizens’ Initiative Aims to Make Vegan Meals “Always Available Everywhere”

Last October, the European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) titled European Citizens’ Initiative for VEGAN MEAL, which is now open with the aim of collecting one million signatures. The initiative calls for legislation to explicitly make vegan alternatives always available in private and public spaces selling food and drinks in Europe.  The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a mechanism that enables EU citizens to participate in the development of the EU. The Commission will have to react if a European Citizens’ Initiative receives one million statements of support within one year from at least seven member states.  It is noteworthy that the Commission could decide to take the request forward or not and will be required to explain its reasoning. The European Citizens’ Initiative …

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Wen Day Thailand group shot

Image courtesy of Let's Plant Meat

Groundbreaking “Wen Day on Wednesday” Campaign Will Promote Future Foods in Thailand

The Thai Future Food Trade Association has joined forces with its members and Informa Markets Thailand to launch a campaign called “Wen Day on Wednesday”. In the Thai language, “wen” means “avoid” or “skip”. Inspired by Meatless Monday, the campaign aims to encourage Thai consumers and food service operators — including schools, hotels, and hospitals — to offer future foods every Wednesday. According to the Thai Future Food Trade Association, Thailand has numerous companies innovating in this area, helping to meet demand both domestically and abroad. The country is said to be working to become a global leader in the future foods sector, but this will require the consumption of these products to increase significantly. Numerous future food brands have supported the launch of Wen …

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#VeganuaryChickenWeek campaign © Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary.

© Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary.

#VeganuaryChickenWeek Begins in Germany With Food Service Promotions & Celeb Support

As part of Veganuary, more people than ever before have taken the start of 2023 as an opportunity to consciously try out a purely plant-based diet. And from today March 27, just in time for Easter, the non-profit organization launches the campaign #VeganuaryChickenWeek to further accelerate this trend. More than 700 million animals such as chickens, ducks and geese were slaughtered in the German poultry industry in 2022, and hens laid around 13.2 billion eggs, according to the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office. “These figures are absurd, but: more and more people want to do something about animal suffering and the associated consequences for the environment and climate, and recognize that plant-based nutrition is the most effective way to do this,” says physician …

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© Lviv Vegan Kitchen

Double Your Donation: Vegan Meals For Refugees in Ukraine (More Than 25,000€ Already Donated)

vegconomist has been supporting a vegan meals project for refugees in the Ukrainian city of Lviv since April 2022 (scroll down to read more about the project). As the invasion of Ukraine continues, we will also continue to support the project. As of September 2022, with the help of our readers and a $10,000 matching grant from the Karuna Foundation (which matches each reader’s contribution), we were able to send more than €25.000 to Lviv Vegan Kitchen. Update: September 8th, 2022: The Karuna Foundation offered another $10,000 matching grant! E.g.: You donate €50. The Karuna Foundation will also donate €50, totalling €100. A big thank you to the Karuna Foundation and the team behind it, for making this possible!

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Global plant-based treaty

Image supplied.

Norwich Becomes Third UK Council to Endorse Global Plant-Based Treaty

Following a debate on March 14, Norwich City Council has become the third local council in the UK to call on the government to support a global plant-based treaty. The motion was brought by Councillor Alex Catt, and seconded by Councillor Jamie Osborn (both of the Green Party). It includes measures to improve the accessibility and availability of plant-based food across the city, such as ensuring that animal-free options are available at council-run events and venues. The council will also write to Norfolk County Council, requesting a carbon impact assessment of local meat and dairy industries and asking what steps are being taken to reduce this in line with the target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. “Producing a kilo of beef creates, …

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The Vegan Society logo with grocery bag of veg

© The Vegan Society

How the Vegan Trademark is Empowering Consumers in a World of Hidden Animal Products

Recently there has been consumer concern about a ruling issued by the EU allowing the use of insects in novel food. Whilst this has come as a surprise to some, insects have been used in product manufacturing for a long time. The use of shellac (a resin secreted by the female lac bug) caused an uproar when consumers discovered products they wouldn’t think to check, like fruit, were being coated in it. This caused them to unwittingly consume animal products and is just one example of the use of insects in production. It’s not just food products that may include insects, their inclusion across all industries is prolific. Silk, often thought of as a ‘luxury’ textile, is made by boiling silk worms alive in their …

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