The Northern Irish capital, Belfast, has become the first city in Ireland to endorse calls for a global Plant Based Treaty. The campaign aims to address the impacts of climate change through a shift towards plant-based diets.
The motion was brought by Councillor Paul Doherty, who previously helped to make Belfast a Right to Food City as part of a campaign working to end hunger. Doherty told Belfast Live that the council had already made progress in improving access to food through initiatives such as breakfast clubs, and said committing to the Plant Based Treaty was “an important next step”.
Now that the motion has successfully passed, Belfast City Council will contact the Northern Ireland Assembly to call for a broader commitment to the treaty and the transition towards a more plant-based food system.
“The future of our planet is at stake”
The Plant Based Treaty calls for the cessation of land use change and ecosystem degradation for animal agriculture, along with the restoration of key ecosystems and a transition away from animal-based food systems.
Five other UK councils have previously endorsed the treaty — Edinburgh, Exmouth, Lambeth, Norwich, and Haywards Heath. Worldwide, major cities such as Amsterdam and Los Angeles have also joined.
“By changing the way we consume food and shifting to a healthier and more sustainable diet, we can make a real impact on dealing with the climate crisis,” Doherty told Belfast Live. “This is one of the most important issues we face, the very future of our planet is at stake and we must do everything within our power to reduce emissions and protect our environment. As the first city on the island to endorse these principles, we are sending a strong message that we are serious about the threat of climate change and ensuring that we do our part to combat it.”
