Climate campaigners urge council to ‘lead by example’ on plant-based catering

Supporters of Plant-Based Hackney on the steps of Hackney Town Hall. Photograph: Luke Glynn

Campaigners have called on Hackney council to take immediate climate action on food or risk falling behind other London boroughs.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday evening, residents Alistair Stewart, 29, and Zee Byam, 42, urged the council to endorse the Plant Based Treaty and move to 100 per cent plant-based catering for internal meetings and events.

Mr Stewart said: “Hackney should be doing everything they can to mitigate climate change.

“They are proud and open about what they are doing in transport and energy and recycling, but we hear less about food which really matters and is underappreciated.”

They criticised Hackney council’s “failure” to act on its own climate food targets, and emphasised that Hackney risked falling behind other London councils who were making commitments to a plant-based transition.

Lambeth Council became the first London borough to sign the Plant Based Treaty in 2024. Since then, Lewisham council has moved to 100 per cent plant-based catering at events, with Camden Council recently backing a similar move.

The deputation was cheered on from the public gallery by supporters of campaign group, Plant-Based Hackney.

In response, Cllr Sarah Young, cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said that the council remained committed to the transition by 2030.

Zee Byam (left) and Alistair Stewart delivering the deputation speech. Photograph: Luke Glynne

But Ms Byam said: “Around a dozen residents of Hackney were killed during heatwaves in the last three months – human-caused climate change.

“Still the council is only planning on doing this in 2030. How much further do we need to escalate to make this change happen?”

During the meeting, Mr Stewart and Ms Byam noted that 92 per cent of the 400 Hackney council staff who attended plant-based tasting events in late 2024 supported making council events plant-based by default.

Mr Stewart said: “Plant-based diets are cheaper and healthier. We’re in contact with cafes and organisations that are keen to cater to these events but the council are still holding back.”

Cllr Young emphasised that Hackney council has already cut food emissions at council events by nearly 70 per cent through a phased transition towards plant-based menus, with various events including the most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) being entirely plant-based.

She also noted the importance of what she described as a culturally-inclusive approach that brings the community along.

A supporter of Plant-Based Hackney speaking to a passer-by before the council meeting. Photograph: Luke Glynne

Mr Stewart said: “Our campaign’s key demand of fully plant-based catering for internal council meetings only affects councillors and council staff, not residents of Hackney.

“This makes me worry that Hackney Council is nowhere near as clear-sighted or ambitious on climate change as it claims to be.

“The way to take the community with us must start with the council leading by example – in 2025, not five years from now.

“We’re asking councillors to lead by example.”

Cllr Young also revealed that she has endorsed the Plant Based Treaty as an individual councillor rather than on behalf of the council.

Lia Phillips of Plant Based Treaty said: “We’re delighted that councillor Sarah Young has personally endorsed the Plant Based Treaty, joining more than 850 politicians across the UK in calling for urgent action on climate, health, and sustainability.

“Her support reflects the growing momentum behind this global campaign, which has already been officially endorsed by 49 cities worldwide.

“We hope Hackney Council will soon follow their lead, adding its voice to the movement and taking steps to implement meaningful, positive change for both the local community and the wider environment.”

Plant-Based Councils, an Animal Rising campaign, is a national initiative of residents pushing for their councils to adopt 100 per cent plant-based catering and implement a Plant-Based Action Plan.

The group argues that local authorities have a responsibility to acknowledge the environmental, health, and cost benefits of plant-based meals over those containing meat and dairy.

Cllr Young said: “We are proud to be recognised as a London leader in sustainable food. Learning from our diverse communities is at the heart of this journey, making sure the shift to healthier, affordable and sustainable eating is inclusive, educational and lasting.

“We are aiming to cut food related emissions across all of our catering contracts by 38 per cent by 2030. The vast majority of our internal events are now plant-based, with recent flagship events, including the Council’s AGM and the Love Hackney Awards, being fully plant-based.”

Update: this article was amended at 1.44pm on 19 September 2025 to include a comment from Cllr Sarah Young.