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, Brazil, in November.
Central to the Declaration is the call for the establishment of National Action Plans for Plant-Based Foods. These plans would promote healthy, sustainable diets across nations, aiming to improve public health, increase food security, and address environmental concerns. The Declaration also stresses the importance of financial support for implementing these plans, with a recommendation for agrifood promotion budgets to back their execution. The goal is to have these National Action Plans ready for discussion at the COP32 summit in 2027.
The ecological case for plant-based
Enric Noguera, European Cities Campaigner for the Plant-Based Treaty, explained the ecological impact of animal agriculture, stating, “The food systems, and specifically animal agriculture, is the main driver of ecological devastation and yet, it is not being seriously addressed within the climate discussion. That is why we celebrate this initiative, as it is a significant step towards driving meaningful action in this regard.”
Studies show that animal agriculture contributes up to one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 32% of human-caused methane emissions stemming from this industry. In comparison, plant-based foods produce approximately half the greenhouse gas emissions of animal-based foods. They also require fewer resources, such as land and water, contribute less to air and water pollution, and do not pose the same public health risks associated with antibiotics or the potential for pandemics.
Juliette Tronchon, Head of UN Affairs at ProVeg, stated, “Plant-based diets play a significant role in mitigating the climate crisis, enhancing food security, and offering new economic opportunities. We hope the Declaration will bring more attention to the role of plant-based foods at COP30 in November.”
