Two Russell Group Universities have voted to install a 100 per cent plant-based menu on campus to “end the climate crisis”.
During Student Union meetings yesterday (February 4), students at both the University of Bristol and Imperial College London voted to switch to a vegan catering menu.
That makes 15 Universities across Europe having opted for a vegan-overhaul, joining the likes of Cambridge, University College London, and Newcastle.
Campaigners have heralded the switch as “a huge step forward” and have encouraged other universities to follow in their lead.
At a Student Union meetings yesterday, students at the University of Bristol voted in favour of a menu overhaul
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Students at both universities said they were “overjoyed” with the results of the vote, which shows that “students are willing to vote for no-nonsense climate solutions”.
Hollie Meyers, a 4th-year Medicine student at Imperial College London said: “We are overjoyed to see our fellow students join calls for Imperial to show that it takes the climate crisis seriously and begin the move toward cheap, nutritious, and delicious plant-based menus.
“Animal farming and fishing are wrecking the planet and the lives of millions across the globe and now is the time to take a definitive step towards a plant-based future.”
Agnes Sales, a 2nd-year Philosophy & Theology student at the University of Bristol said: “After last year’s motion failed, it’s amazing to see the shift in support from our student community towards our campaign. It’s clear that students are willing to vote for no-nonsense climate solutions and set an example for the rest of the country to follow.”
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A student at Imperial said they were ‘overjoyed’ with the results of the vote
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Plant-Based Universities, a campaign group supported by Animal Rising, has been active in over 50 institutions across the UK.
Last year, Nottingham City Council announced that it would only serve plant-based foods at its internal meeting.
The local authority made the move after receiving pressure from a national campaign group, who had been lobbying the council for over a year.
The Labour-run authority says the move will be implemented at all of the council’s internal meetings from the end of September as part of its drive toward net-zero.
Students voted to switch to a vegan catering menu
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The Labour-run authority says the move will be implemented at all of the council’s internal meetings
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Councillors will only be offered 100 per cent “dairy and meat free” options for “drinks and refreshments”, with milk and biscuits are two of the refreshments to be replaced by vegan alternatives.
“It has been amazing to see our support grow exponentially,” said Ilana Parrwood, 26, of Plant-Based Councils.
Six other councils, including Oxfordshire, Cambridge, and Exeter have already agreed to similar policies around serving plant-based foods across internal catering.
The national campaign is also supported by the animal welfare and environmental group Animal Rising.