Delegates at the UN climate summit in Antalya will be served a menu with a meat-free target this year. The COP31 presidency has set a goal of 60 percent meat-free catering, according to the Food & Climate Action Group, a coalition of more than 20 non-profits that campaigns on food systems within the UN climate process. The conference opens next week.
The plan also gives space on site to fully plant-based cafe outlets and invites two Antalya-based vegan businesses into the food court. The hosts have promised clearer labelling, including ingredient and nutritional information. The coalition, whose members include ProVeg International, the Plant Based Treaty and Climate Bridges, called the measures a cause for celebration.
The menu has a history. At COP26 in Glasgow, climate footprint data appeared beside what was otherwise a meat-heavy menu. COP28 in Dubai made two-thirds of its menu meat-free after months of campaigning by the UN youth constituency and more than 140 youth and civil society groups. COP29 in Baku went backwards, with barely any meat-free options and activists finding meat and dairy dishes mislabelled as vegetarian or vegan.
At COP30 in Belem, a catering survey by ProVeg International found 51.2 percent of meals and snacks were meat-free, above the 40 percent pledged. It also found mislabelling, higher prices for plant-based options, few milk alternatives and a lot of beef.
Why food is on the table at all is a matter of numbers. Green Queen's report cites the agrifood sector as the source of a third of greenhouse gas emissions. Nilgun Engin of the Plant Based Treaty attributes up to 20 percent of emissions to animal-sourced foods. A UN-backed report weeks ago found that the vast majority of countries will miss agreed food systems goals for 2030, with greenhouse gas reduction among the largest gaps.
The advocates quoted here have a stake in the outcome, and catering is a small thing beside the talks themselves. Juliette Tronchon of ProVeg International said the COP28 decision showed what happens when leadership meets sustained pressure from civil society. Antalya will show whether the 60 percent target is met and labelled honestly.
Photo: Maryannewatson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Green Queen
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