Plant-Based Universities
Plant-Based Universities is an international student-led campaign calling for universities and Students' Unions to adopt fully plant-based catering.[1][2] The campaign began in late 2021[3] by Animal Rising in response to the climate crisis.[4] Its chapters have initiated votes in Students' Unions and, as of February 2025, had been successful in one Austrian, one Dutch, and fourteen British universities, with around 80 active campaigns across nine countries.
Participating universities
[edit]As of February 2025, the campaign had been successful in the following universities:
- University of Stirling was the first one to move to ban animal products from its outlets. The campaign had been backed by BBC presenter and conservationist Chris Packham. Journalist and activist George Monbiot also expressed his support, saying the campaigners were "leading the way in tackling the climate crisis and creating a sustainable food system".[5] The decision was met with significant pushback by animal farmers and the Countryside Alliance.[6]
- Students at the University of Cambridge also voted in favour of a transition to fully plant-based menus. However, the ultimate decision lies with the university.[7][8]
- Newcastle University's Student Council voted to ensure at least 50% of food is plant-based at its ticketed events, and up to 100% where possible.[9]
- In a vote which attracted the highest turnout in the University of Kent's history, 450 students voted for university-run catering facilities to introduce entirely plant-based food by academic year 2027/28.[10]
- London Metropolitan University[11]
- In September 2024, the University of Graz became the first non-UK university to see a successful campaign.[12][13]
- University of Birmingham[14]
- Queen Mary University of London Students’ Union passed a motion for its catering to become fully plant-based by 2029. From 60% in academic year 2024/25, it aims to increase the proportion of its plant-based options in its menus by 10% annually in subsequent years.[15][16]
- Falmouth University
- University College London[17]
- At Lancaster University, the vote to shift to 100% plant-based catering, though supported by 18 of the 19 student delegates, was met with criticism from the Countryside Alliance.[18]
- While University of Warwick students voted in favour of a shift to 100% plant-based catering in November 2023,[19] the Unions’ Board of Trustees eventually revoked the decision in August 2024, explaining that their decision was taken after “careful consideration of the practical and financial challenges”.[20]
- University College Roosevelt
- Imperial College London[21]
- University of Bristol[22]
- University of St Andrews
Influence
[edit]In 2023, more than 800 experts and academics signed a letter supporting the Plant-Based Universities campaign. Signatories include Dale Vince, Caroline Lucas, George Monbiot, Etienne Scott, Chris Rapley, Chris Packham, and Helen Czerski.[23][24] Packham said that “The student campaigners of Plant-Based Universities are making incredible changes in their institutions and it’s only right to see hundreds of academics stepping up to support them.”[24] In 2023, the campaign was nominated for an Earthshot Prize, administered by William, Prince of Wales.[25] In 2024, Plant-Based Universities was one of three British charities that received proceeds from that year's tour by musician Moby.[26]
Criticism
[edit]The Countryside Alliance, a lobby that supports animal farming, criticises the campaign, calling the university votes in favor of plant-based catering an "attack on freedom of choice."[27]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Badshah, Nadeem (2023-02-21). "Cambridge University students vote for completely vegan menus". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ McKay, Katherine (2024-01-11). "A Plant-Based University". The Glasgow Guardian. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "About". PBU. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- ^ McKay, Katie (2024-01-11). "A Plant-Based University". The Glasgow Guardian. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Stirling University Students' Union votes to go 100% vegan". BBC News. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Fury as university takes meat off the menu in favour of first 100% vegan student union". LBC. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Cambridge University students vote for completely vegan menus". The Independent. 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ Badshah, Nadeem (2023-02-21). "Cambridge University students vote for completely vegan menus". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "Newcastle University students vote for fully plant-based catering". BBC News. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ^ "University of Kent students vote for plant-based catering". BBC News. 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Gubbins, Sophie (2023-10-06). "London students demand 100 per cent plant-based catering in multi-campus protest". The Tab. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Vegane Mensa eröffnet an der Uni Graz: »Pflanzenbasierte Ernährung gegen Klimakrise« - Falstaff". www.falstaff.com (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Vegane Mensa: Das KF Erde am Grazer Uni-Campus im Lokal-Test". www.kleinezeitung.at (in German). 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Carrington, Damian (2023-09-04). "Hundreds of academics call for 100% plant-based meals at UK universities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Carrington, Damian (2023-09-04). "Hundreds of academics call for 100% plant-based meals at UK universities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "The Most Vegan-Friendly Universities in the UK". PETA UK. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Carrington, Damian (2023-09-04). "Hundreds of academics call for 100% plant-based meals at UK universities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Lancaster University student union votes to go vegan". BBC News. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "University of Warwick students' union votes to go vegan". BBC News. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ "Compulsory plant-based catering at Warwick University rejected by Student Union". www.countryside-alliance.org. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
- ^ Protz, Adam (2025-02-05). "Students At Bristol and Imperial College London Vote For 100% Plant-Based Catering". Plant Based News. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Protz, Adam (2025-02-05). "Students At Bristol and Imperial College London Vote For 100% Plant-Based Catering". Plant Based News. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Ford, Naomi (2023-09-06). "Over 850 experts support the campaign for 100% plant-based universities". yorkshirebylines.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ a b Carrington, Damian (2023-09-04). "Hundreds of academics call for 100% plant-based meals at UK universities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Ward, Victoria (2023-12-20). "Vegan activist group in the running for Prince William's Earthshot Prize". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Duran, Anagricel (2024-07-26). "Moby announces charity beneficiaries for upcoming UK and European tour". NME. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ "Lancaster University student union votes to go vegan". www.bbc.com. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-03-05.