The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to adopt the Plant Based Treaty.
“The adoption of a Plant Based Treaty as a companion to the UNFCCC/Paris Agreement will put food systems at the heart of combating the climate crisis”, states the official website for the Plant Based Treaty. “The Treaty aims to halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems caused by animal agriculture, to promote a shift to more healthy, sustainable plant-based diets and to actively reverse damage done to planetary functions, ecosystem services and biodiversity.”
Some of the other cities who have endorsed the treaty include Boynton Beach, Florida, Bhuj City, India, the City of Burienos Aires, Argentina, DIdem in Turkey and Haywards Heath in the United Kingdom. In addition to cities endorsing the treaty, it’s been endorsed by over 900 business and over 900 organization, as well as over 60,000 individuals.
According to their website, the Plant Based Treaty has three core principles:
- Relinquish
No land use change, ecosystem degradation or deforestation for animal agriculture
- Redirect
An active transition away from animal-based food systems to plant-based systems
- Restore
Actively restoring key ecosystems, particularly restoring forests and rewilding landscapes
The move by the city council comes shortly before the C40 Mayors Climate Summit in Argentina. The resolution to join the treaty was introduced by Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Marqueece Harris-Dawson. It will need to be concurred by Eric Garcetti – which is expected to happen shortly – before becoming official.
More information on the Plant Based Treaty can be found by clicking here.
