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Cities are where 82% of Canadians live and where the majority of food is consumed making food a major contributor to cities’ consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions.
Our political and institutional leaders have the unique opportunity to address climate change and promote sustainable practices within our community by addressing food emissions as part of their climate action plans.
By advocating for increased plant-based food for all city events and facilities, institutional procurement, as well as to its citizens, together we can position our cities as Canadian leaders in environmental protection and reduction of food emissions.
Climate change will cost cities an estimated $5.3 billion per year in Canada.
The Plant-Based Cities Movement works to motivate cities and to mobilize citizens to go plant-based
for the health of the planet and the people.
The future of food is plant-focused.
As the Plant-Based Cities Movement, we humbly acknowledge our presence on the sacred and ancestral spaces of indigenous peoples who have been stewards since time immemorial across the vast tapestry of lands now known as Canada.
We strive to forge a future of harmony, respect and unity.
Healthy Plant-Based Diets
Guided by a growing consensus among nutrition experts, the Canada Food Guide, the Planetary Health Diet – EAT, as well as many health and environmental associations, call for an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Simultaneously they are advocating for a moderation of the consumption of meat, dairy and eggs – calling for swaps with plant proteins, or lower fat versions. Health Canada recommends that Canadians “choose proteins that come from plants everyday.”
Environmental Impacts
Transitioning towards plant-based foods is a key factor in reducing our environmental footprint, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water usage and pollution, reduced land use and deforestation, as well as the potential to rewild land previously used for animal agriculture. A transition towards plant-based diets is a significant step towards biodiversity conservation and more sustainable land use, highlighting the importance of individual dietary choices in environmental sustainability.
