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London Mayor Sadiq Khan is among 14 mayors who have pledged to slash meat consumption in the city.
Khan has signed up to the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration ‘in order to promote and preserve the health of citizens and the health of the planet’.
Planetary Health Diet
Mayors who have signed the pledge will work with residents to achieve a ‘Planetary Health Diet’, as defined by the EAT-Lancet Commission landmark report earlier this year, for all by 2030 – consuming ‘balanced and nutritious food’ which reflects the culture, geography, and demography of the people.
The Diet suggests eating primarily whole grains, plant proteins (beans, lentils, pulses), unsaturated plant oils, modest amounts of meat and dairy, and some added sugars and starchy vegetables.
According to C40, Mayors will use their procurement powers to change what kind of food cities buy, and introduce policies that make healthy, delicious, and low-carbon food affordable and accessible for all. They’ll also reduce food loss and wasted food.
‘Tackling the climate emergency’
Shirley Rodrigues, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “Tackling the climate emergency demands action at all levels – businesses, local authorities and other public sector bodies could increase the amount of sustainable food they provide.
“I look forward to working with other cities on our shared ambition to make the food system healthier for people and better for the planet.”
‘Sustainable food systems’
Dr. Gunhild A. Stordalen, Founder & Executive Chair, EAT, added: “The EAT-Lancet Commission landmark report provides the first-ever scientific targets for healthy diets from sustainable food systems at the global level, and now cities are paving the way for how to implement these in the local context.
“The Planetary Health Diet is flexible and can be adapted across all culinary traditions and cultural preferences. A radical transformation of our global food system is critical to mitigate climate change, halt biodiversity loss and build prosperous economies, while improving the health and wellbeing of populations. It is extremely encouraging and inspiring to see cities rising to this challenge and making bold commitments.”
The other cities which have signed the C40 Good Food Cities Declaration are Barcelona, Copenhagen, Guadalajara, Lima, Los Angeles, Milan, Oslo, Paris, Quezon City, Seoul, Stockholm, Tokyo, and Toronto.
