Across Paris, districts are working to implement the Sustainable Food Plan of the Paris Council is part of the larger Paris Climate Plan to reduce GHG emissions by 75% in 2050 (compared to 2004 levels). The plan commits to increase the share of food that is “sustainable” (that is local and/or organic) working to source 50% by 2020.
But more important, this plan is very specific on the commitment to reduce meat consumption by 20% by 2020. Other relevant commitments include zero GMOs, 100% cage-free eggs, no deep water fishing, zero palm oil. If fully implemented, this more initiative will affect 30 million meals served in approximately 1200 municipal canteens per year.
Also in October 2019, the mayor of Copenhagen joined 13 other mayors affiliated with the C40 in signing a commitment to become a Good Food City, which includes considerably reducing meat served in their public institutions as part of their response to the global climate emergency.
In a declaration during the Mayors Summit of the C40 cities network in Copenhagen, the undersigned mayors committed to align their food procurement to a ‘planetary health diet’ – rich in plant-based food with less food from animal sources – by 2030. This would equate to a maximum average of 300 grams of meat per person per week.
Greenpeace’s global challenge:
Our supporters are challenging cities to race to the top on meat reduction to protect our climate, forests, and water. We aim to have at least 50 cities commit to serving two vegetarian meals (no meat or dairy options) in all public canteens weekly by the end of 2019. We expect to have at least 100 global cities make this or a greater commitment toward less and better meat and more plant-rich meals by 2020.