Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante  has positioned herself as a leading voice in urban sustainability, particularly through her bold stance on environmental policies. Below are some key milestones:

September 2024

Mayor Plante attended the United Nations  Summit of the Future 2024 where she joined prominent leaders such as New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other well-known mayors to address urban responses to global challenges. Their collective work highlights the critical role cities play in combating climate change and fostering sustainable development.

October 2023
Mayor Plante was appointed to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments, a group supported by UN-Habitat  and composed of 15 local and 5 national representatives. The group is tasked with enhancing local contributions to the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

December 2022
Montreal hosted the COP15 Summit underscoring the city’s growing role as a global environmental leader, including efforts in biodiversity conservation, such as the protection of pollinators and ambitious plans to reduce pollution.

May 2022

Mayor Plante introduced a motion promoting more plant-based foods mandating that the City of Montreal commits to:

• aligning its food procurement policies with The Planetary Health Diet – EAT ideally with organically grown food;

• supporting an overall increase in the consumption of plant-based foods on its territory by encouraging the population to choose healthy and sustainable diets;

• developing a strategy for implementing the C40 Declaration from an inclusive and equitable perspective;
• offering a minimum of 75% vegetarian food at the events it organizes;
• working with concessionaires who operate food service areas and who have contracts with the city, particularly in large parks, to ensure that a greater proportion of their offerings are plant-based;

The shift toward plant-based food aligns with the principles of The Planetary Health Diet – EAT, which emphasizes reducing meat consumption to lower greenhouse gas emissions. By championing plant-based options, Mayor Plante  recognizes the importance of sustainability for both the environment and the health of Montreal’s citizens, emphasizing that plant rich diets are a crucial part of the city’s climate strategy. 

September 2019

During Climate Week 2019, Mayor Plante was invited to speak at the United Nations General Assembly for her efforts in combating climate change. She was the only Canadian representative to take the stage that year among global leaders. At the event, Mayor Plante announced that Montreal aims to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030.

Montreal continues to put its plant-based promotion strategy into practice. For example, on May 21, 2024, a discussion and planning session for the Biodiversity Master Plan was held in the Mercier-Hochelaga riding, attended by the local Mayor,  the Coordinators of Sustainable Development and Greening, and riding residents including our PBCM President. In alignment with the City of Montreal’s 2022 motion promoting plant-based consumption, only plant-based snacks were served at the event. This session, aimed at protecting nature and supporting the global goals of COP15, highlights how Montreal is not only setting policies but also actively integrating them into city initiatives.

Mayor Plante’s leadership has positioned Montreal as a model for other cities seeking to transition to more sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. Her administration is tackling urban challenges by implementing policies that prioritize sustainability, reduce emissions, and protect green spaces, aligning with the growing environmental consciousness of Montrealers. Through a focus on food procurement, urban planning, and biodiversity, Mayor Plante demonstrates that cities can lead the fight against climate change while improving residents’ quality of life and building a healthier, more sustainable future.

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