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Title:

Urge Cambridgeshire County Council to Implement 100% Plant Based Internal Catering

Status:

Closed - Response Published

Petition Overview:

Transition Cambridgeshire County Council to 100% Plant-Based Catering: A Step Towards Environmental Responsibility

In 2019, Cambridgeshire County Council declared a climate and environmental emergency, acknowledging the urgent need to act now against the threats posed by climate change. The Council acknowledge that they have a duty to limit the negative impacts of climate change and so they have committed to cutting carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and reducing pollution.

However, there's an area where immediate impact can be made: the Council's food and drink provisions. The environmental cost of meat and dairy production is undeniable. Comprehensive studies indicate that transitioning to a plant-based food system could reduce diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by 75%, liberate 75% of agricultural land for other uses, decrease water usage by 54%, and significantly reduce biodiversity loss.

Therefore, we urge Cambridgeshire County Council to:

(1) Implement 100% Plant-Based Catering: All food and drink provided at internal council meetings and events should be plant-based.
(2) Promote Plant-Based Options: Wherever the council has influence, such as in leisure centres, public cafes, and schools, plant-based options should be prioritized.
(3) Encourage Sustainable Eating Among Residents: Through local advertising and promotions, encourage plant-based eating, ensuring that the message is climate-friendly.

Cambridge City Council and Cambridge University's Students' Union have already passed motions in support of plant-based initiatives. It's time for Cambridgeshire County Council to align with these progressive steps and lead by example by transitioning to 100% plant-based internal catering.

Join us in urging the Council to make this critical change. Together, we can contribute to a healthier planet and a sustainable future.

Relevant Area(s):

Not Specified

Opening Date:

Thursday, 4 April 2024

Closing Date:

Friday, 4 April 2025

Petitioner Group:

Plant Based Councils

This petition currently has 161 signatures in total.

Petition Signatories
161 electronic signatures
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... Page 1 of 17, items 1 to 10 of 161.
Daniel Abbs
Gabrielle Admans
Mariel Alem Fonseca
Sophie Anderson
Laura Arnold
Kilian Ba
Chloe Balhatchet
Dorothy Ball
Lynne Barr
Kilian Bartsch

This petition has been reviewed and the following response has been offered:

Thank you for your petition related to Plant based food that has been recorded.

I can confirm that the answers that were given as a result of a public question on plant based food to Environment and Green Investment (E&GI) Committee in July 2024 still stand.

In addition to the above, in the October 2024 E&GI Committee meeting, it was agreed that when the Climate Change and Environment Strategy Action Plan is reviewed, officers will introduce a new action related to Council catering for internal events as set out in Appendix 3 to the Council report under row 62 'dietary choices'.

The Council remains committed to undertaking a review of our Climate Change and Environment Strategy later this year and this will include consideration of a new action in the plan on scoping out a food policy for Council catering. As part of the review, options for internal catering will be scoped to cover any recommendations coming from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, follow the Eatwell Guide, consider local sustainable food systems and our climate ambitions. However, in providing this response, I would draw your attention to the fact that the Council has very limited internal catering now and any food policy considered as part of the Climate Change and Environment Strategy review would need to balance dietary requirements, alongside nutrition and choice. This would be particularly important where the Council provides catering facilities for the public, such as at our Grafham Water Centre, where there is a need to balance the Council’s environmental objectives with being able to meet the range of dietary requirements and the differing needs of our service users. Furthermore, such a policy would also need to ensure that we do not prejudice our tenant farmers across the County, so this will all need to be considered as part of the Climate Change and Environment Strategy review.

I can confirm that we are currently planning the forward agenda for the Environment and Green Investment Committee for 2025/26 and will ensure that this matter is identified when the Climate Change and Environment Strategy is discussed.

I hope that this response assures you that this matter will be considered as part of our Climate Change and Environment Strategy review.

If you would like to meet to discuss this feedback and how the strategy will be developed with consultation, please let us know.

Date	User	Description	Status
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... Page 1 of 18, items 1 to 10 of 171.
28/07/2025 13:02	Nick Mills		Response Awaiting Approval
05/04/2025 02:03	(System Event)	Petition Closed (responder emailed requesting response)	Response Pending
04/04/2025 12:07	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Anna Sutton	Petition Active
03/04/2025 16:25	Sophie Rankine	Petition Updated: Responder Changed to Nick Mills.	Petition Active
03/04/2025 09:00	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Anne White	Petition Active
03/04/2025 08:08	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Simon Goode	Petition Active
02/04/2025 06:28	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Oscar Bray	Petition Active
01/04/2025 19:18	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Catherine Lee	Petition Active
01/04/2025 19:04	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Julie Wyard	Petition Active
01/04/2025 19:01	Unregistered User	Petition Signed: Dayanita Meckseper	Petition Active

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