Sustainability / Environment

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UN Climate Conference Serves Mostly Vegan and Vegetarian Food

Caterers at the United Nations’ June Climate Meetings have made the decision to serve mainly vegan and vegetarian food this year to reduce the environmental impact of the event. The 5,000 delegates attending the climate conference will be served a lunch menu that is 57% vegan and 14% vegetarian, while snacks will be 37% vegan and 46% vegetarian. The June Climate Meetings began on June 16 and will run until June 26. Food is provided by Broich Catering, a company whose origins date back to 1734. “This year, we are happy to contribute to sustainable and climate-friendly catering, and we appreciate the general recognition for this at the UN event, and at other events catered for at the World Conference Center Bonn,” said Claus Meinen, …

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Over 100 Stakeholders Endorse Plant-Based Diets for Climate Action at Pre-COP30 Conference

A global initiative calling for a transition to plant-based diets was introduced today at the UN’s pre-COP30 climate change conference in Bonn, Germany. The Belém Declaration on Plant-Rich Diets, which has garnered support from over 100 signatories, including prominent organizations such as the City of West Hollywood, GFI Brazil, Plant Based Treaty and ProVeg International, outlines the environmental, health, and economic benefits of adopting plant-based eating patterns. 100+ voices unite The Declaration advocates for a two-fold approach: preserving the plant-rich culinary heritage of the Global South while addressing the overconsumption of meat in the Global North. The initiative showcases how plant-based diets can help mitigate climate change, improve public health, and enhance food security worldwide, and will be presented to COP30 summit organizers in Belém, …

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New Research Offers Roadmap to Lower Emissions and Costs in Vegan Burger Supply Chains

A recent study published in Sustainability (MDPI) assessed the environmental and economic impacts of legume-based vegan burgers. By combining life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC), researchers examined various production scenarios, with a focus on ingredient sourcing and packaging materials to enhance both ecological and economic efficiency. Lowering impact with local ingredients The study analyzed a base case scenario involving the use of imported ingredients and conventional packaging materials. The carbon footprint for two vegan patties in this scenario was found to be 1.30 kg CO2 equivalent, with a total life cycle cost of EUR 2.43. Notably, transportation emissions from sourcing ingredients like pea protein, pea flour, and lentil flour played a significant role in the product’s environmental burden, compounded by the use …

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Session 14 of the ‘update’ Webtalk Series: A Circular System – Making Circularity a Strategic Necessity

The international business webtalk series ‘update’ discusses the most pressing issues of the ongoing protein transition. Based on the latest news, data, and facts, the future of the industry will be put forward and discussed with key market players in this series of talks. A Circular System: Making Circularity a Strategic Necessity July 17th, 10:30 AM CT (CHICAGO) | 5:30 PM CEST (BERLIN) | 4:30 PM GMT (LONDON) Can we turn food leftovers from trash into treasure? Everyone is talking about circularity, but only a few companies and innovators are truly putting it into practice. Yet, circularity could be one of the most powerful levers for reshaping our food system. In this webinar, we’ll explore how we can build a “system within the system”, one where waste becomes a resource …

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Plant Based Treaty

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Parla Becomes First Spanish City to Endorse Plant Based Treaty

Parla has become the first city in Spain and the 40th in the world to endorse the call for a global Plant Based Treaty. The motion was introduced by Más Madrid’s Miguel Fuentes, a portfolio holder for ecological transition, youth, and sustainable mobility. It passed at the Plenary Session of the Parla City Council on May 14, 2025, with 14 votes in favour and 11 against. In the motion, Parla acknowledges that animal agriculture “contributes disproportionately to climate change, biodiversity loss, water and air pollution, and food and land injustice”. “Systemic changes are needed to transition from a food model based on exploitation to one that cares for the planet, people, and animals,” said Fuentes. “Joining the Plant Based Treaty is a first step.” The …

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Hollywood Climate Summit

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Hollywood Climate Summit to Feature Vegan Cuisine & Leading Voices From the Plant-Based Industry

The annual Hollywood Climate Summit is set to take place for the sixth time from June 2-4, 2025. It will be hosted at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The event will feature fully plant-based cuisine and a variety of eco-friendly vendors. The organizers are working with partners such as Earth Angel by TheGreenShot, Bevi, r.World, Set Zero, Quixote, Support + Feed, and Food Access LA to provide low-emission transportation, reusable drinkware, and locally-sourced plant-based menu options. The summit aims to bridge the gap between environmental experts and leaders from media and entertainment through action-oriented conversations. Several sessions will take place, including one titled “Why Are We Consuming This?: What We Eat, Buy, and Watch”. The speakers …

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Bezos Earth Fund Awards 24 Grants Totaling $1.2M for AI-Driven Climate Solutions

The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded 24 Phase I grants under its AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature, an initiative that aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Each chosen project will receive $50,000, taking the total amount of funding granted to $1.2 million. Later this year, up to 15 of the most promising will be selected for Phase II, receiving implementation grants of $2 million each to further develop and scale their solutions over a two-year period. The AI Grand Challenge has been launched with a commitment of up to $100 million, and will explore the potential of AI to address issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It focuses on sustainable proteins, power grid …

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Sustainability in Retail: What’s Next?

Leading German supermarkets—including Aldi Nord and Süd, Edeka, Kaufland, Lidl, and Rewe—recently met in Berlin to discuss the Superlist Environment study assessing their sustainability performance. While concrete commitments remain limited, there was broad agreement on the urgent need for change. At the Next Steps to a More Sustainable Retail Sector symposium, retailers acknowledged key areas requiring immediate focus. Some are commissioning new studies; others are learning from international peers. Promoting pulses and targeting flexitarian consumers were common themes. Dirk Liebenberg, Head of Corporate Engagement at ProVeg, stressed: “Retailers know their gatekeeper role in the supply chain and the responsibility it entails. The study highlighted the crucial need for standardized measurement of the plant-to-animal protein ratio in supermarket offerings.” Protein transition is most cost-effective climate strategy …

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Novotel Advances Plant-Forward Strategy Across 600 Hotels, Targets 25% Plant-Based Menus by 2026

Novotel has announced a global expansion of its plant-forward food strategy, setting a target for at least 25% of menu offerings across its 600 hotels to be plant-based by 2026. Currently, 39% of its locations already meet this threshold. The initiative is part of the strategic focus on integrating sustainability into the brand’s culinary operations, in alignment with its ongoing partnership with WWF France. The plant-forward ambition seeks to provide scalable, sustainable menu options that balance consumer demand for taste, health, and environmental impact. Novotel is collaborating with culinary institutes to develop recipes that meet these criteria, positioning the brand within a competitive market where plant-based dining is increasingly a business imperative. Jean-Yves Minet, Novotel Global Brand President, stated, “At Novotel, we are committed to …

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Analysis Finds Dairy & Coffee Giants Are Turning a Blind Eye to Methane Emissions

A new analysis by the Changing Markets Foundation has found that some of the world’s biggest makers and users of dairy products are failing to address their methane emissions. 20 major dairy producers and coffee house chains were scored on their methane reduction goals, action plans, accounting, and reporting. Of these, 17 acknowledged that methane or livestock is a climate problem; the exceptions were Dunkin’, Starbucks, and the UK dairy company Froneri. However, only two firms — Nestlé and Danone — claim to have reduced their methane emissions. Most do not have clear methane-related targets, action plans, or even transparency on emissions. Furthermore, none have pledged to reduce their dairy product sales. 18 out of the 20 companies scored less than half the available points, …

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Study: Women Emit Significantly Less Carbon Than Men, Partly Due to Lower Red Meat Consumption

A new paper by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment has analyzed the carbon footprint gender gap in food and transportation. The study uses survey data on the food consumption of 2,100 representative French individuals and the transport patterns of 12,500 others. It finds that women emit 26% less carbon than men in these sectors, which together account for half of the average individual’s carbon footprint. Men’s food and transport consumption produce 5.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (tCO2e) on average, while women’s produce 3.9 tCO2e. The study emphasizes that the gap is not just due to men eating more calories or having longer commutes — 25% of the food footprint gap and 38% of the transport footprint gap remain unexplained after …

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Study: Transitioning Pets to Vegan Diets is a “Significant Climate Change Mitigation Strategy”

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems has concluded that feeding pets a nutritionally sound vegan diet is a “significant extant climate change mitigation strategy which warrants immediate implementation”. The study cites research showing that 25-30% of the environmental impacts of livestock production in the US have been attributed to companion animal diets. It also claims that in Japan, the environmental impacts of a medium dog’s diet are greater than those of the average person’s diet. In wealthy countries with high rates of pet ownership, the benefits of shifting dogs away from meat-based diets are said to be equivalent to between a quarter and a third of the environmental benefits achievable through human dietary change. The role of animal byproducts …

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Oatly publishes new sustainability plan

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Oatly Publishes Updated Sustainability Plan, Becomes First Food Brand to Qualify as Climate Solutions Company

Oat milk brand Oatly has published an updated sustainability plan featuring goals to reduce climate emissions and contribute to societal net zero. The plan also outlines new commitments to protecting nature, promoting nutritious diets, and empowering people to help futureproof the food system. With the publication of the plan, Oatly has become the first food and drink brand to qualify as a Climate Solutions Company, according to the Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) framework. The ERI acknowledges that Oatly has reduced consumers’ climate impact by encouraging them to shift away from dairy. Along with updating its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, Oatly says it has become the first company to trial a new model called “Spheres of Influence” in …

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Sustainability Can’t Just Be a Slogan: What Plant-Based Brands Must Learn

For years, some plant-based brands have leaned on an unspoken assumption: ‘because our products are lower impact, we don’t need to say much more.’ But that logic no longer holds. Today’s consumers are savvier, more sceptical, and more demanding. Many already assume that plant-based foods are more sustainable – and they want to know how. They’re asking tough questions. Where are the ingredients sourced from? What about packaging? A recycled colour palette and vague green claims no longer cut it – and in many cases, they undermine trust. In a world where almost every brand is talking sustainability, the ones who stand out are those who communicate it not as a side note, but as a central part of who they are. That doesn’t mean …

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Planned EU Farming Reforms Criticised for Weakening Environmental Regulations

New reforms proposed by the European Commission to reduce bureaucracy for farmers have been criticised due to their potential to weaken environmental regulations. As reported by POLITICO, the reforms would reduce environmental controls on the disbursement of funds under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), while exempting smallholders from some checks and increasing the cap on subsidy payments to small farms. Farmers must currently comply with land requirements known as GAECs to access certain subsidies, but the new policies would provide more flexibility in how they implement the rules. For example, the amount of grassland that can be lost would be increased from 5 to 10% compared to 2018, allowing farmers to increase production but negatively impacting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The reforms would also change …

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B Corp certification

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B Corp Certification Gets a Major Update with New Standards to Tackle Urgent Global Issues

B Lab has introduced a new set of standards for B Corp Certification, marking a major update in the certification process. The updated standards, which represent the seventh iteration, establish clearer and more rigorous performance criteria for businesses seeking certification. The changes aim to drive more effective action on urgent social and environmental issues, including the climate crisis and rising social inequality. A more demanding certification The new framework shifts away from cumulative point scoring, requiring B Corps to meet specific standards across seven key “Impact Topics,” ensuring a more holistic approach to business performance. These topics include climate action, human rights, fair work, environmental stewardship, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Businesses must also develop governance structures that align with these priorities and demonstrate …

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To Improve Food System Sustainability, Shift Focus Away From Individual Responsibility, Says New Study

A new policy paper by think tanks Agora Agriculture and IDDRI has highlighted how shifting from individual responsibility to demand-side food policies could help create healthier and more sustainable food systems in Europe. The paper notes that current food policies rely largely on the individual responsibility of consumers, with a focus on education and information. It claims that this is only effective if the availability, affordability, and appeal of healthy and sustainable options are also addressed; in other words, the focus should be on shaping food environments. With the help of a literature review and case studies from 11 European countries, the paper describes demand-side food policies that have already proven successful. For example: The role of EU policy According to the report, demand-side policies …

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EU-Funded Research Explores Sustainable Protein Alternatives for European Agriculture

A recent EU-funded study, part of the Horizon Programme, showcases efforts to diversify protein sources and reduce the environmental impact of food production. The research focuses on plant-based proteins, legumes, and innovative food products as part of a wider strategy to address the environmental burden of animal farming, which is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Farm trials show agronomic benefits of legumes On her organic dairy farm in southeast Ireland, Marianne Mulhall has seen firsthand the benefits of crop rotation involving legumes like peas and beans. This method helps capture nitrogen from the atmosphere, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, which have become increasingly expensive. “This is good for farmers, as fertilizer prices have gone through the roof in recent …

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Survey Reveals 46% of US Adults Would Consider Plant-Based Diets to Cut Food Emissions

A recent survey conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Morning Consult reveals that 46% of Americans would consider adopting a plant-based diet to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production. The poll, which included responses from 2,203 US adults between March 24-26, 2025, found that 16% of respondents would “strongly consider” such a dietary change, while an additional 30% said they would “somewhat consider” it. Environmental impact of food production The survey results come as Earth Day approaches and coincide with growing concerns about the environmental impact of the food industry. Research from the United Nations has pointed to the significant role of food production, particularly livestock farming, in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Beef, in particular, is noted as …

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Cellular agriculture could help create a sustainable food system in Finland

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Report: How Cellular Agriculture Could Make the Finnish Food System More Sustainable & Profitable

A new report by VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, Natural Resources Institute Finland, and the University of Helsinki has investigated the state of cellular agriculture in the country. At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry and Business Finland, the authors list eight recommendations for policymakers, which include making investments in production-scale infrastructures and expediting and streamlining the EU’s regulatory process. According to the report, cellular agriculture is strategically important because it could boost economic growth, increase food self-sufficiency, and improve the strategic autonomy of Finland, along with the EU as a whole. The export potential for Finland is reported to be €500-1000 million by 2035, while infrastructure investments could open up opportunities for billions in exports of equipment, technology, and expertise. …

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