On 15/06/25 Londoners took to the streets of Marble Arch to raise awareness of the need for the London Assembly (LA) to transition to plant-based catering as a logical and necessary step to fight climate breakdown. This is based on a report commissioned by the Mayor and the Greater London Authority (GLA) which stated that London is ‘unprepared for effects of climate change.’ [1]
The action comes after the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, failed to act on his climate commitments by rejecting calls for a transition to a plant-based food system last month. [2] Last years’ London Climate Resilience Review failed to mention plant-based food, despite resounding scientific evidence showing that food system reform is needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate breakdown. [3]
Councils around the country, such as Oxfordshire County Council, Edinburgh City Council and Exeter City Council, have already committed to 100% plant-based internal catering as a response to the severity of the climate crisis. As the capital of the UK, London should also lead the way for others to do the same. [4]
As global temperatures continue to rise and the impacts of the climate crisis become increasingly severe, Mayor Sadiq Khan’s refusal to make the London Assembly (LA) plant-based represents a significant missed opportunity for real climate leadership.
Despite his public commitments to reducing London’s carbon footprint and championing sustainable policies, the Mayor has yet to embrace one of the most impactful actions available: adopting plant-based catering for the LA. This move would not only set a powerful example for the city’s nine million residents, but also align with the latest research, which clearly highlights the critical role of plant-based diets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other devastating impacts such as water pollution and soil degradation. [5]
Flora Clemett, 24, from Lambeth, a Plant-Based London Assembly campaigner said:
“Every major climate report tells us the same thing: what’s on our plate matters. We’ve just had our driest spring on record, droughts have been announced in multiple regions, and there is talk of London hitting 40 degrees next week. Yet, the Mayor’s continued reluctance to make this simple, science-backed change shows a troubling gap between his climate rhetoric and meaningful action.”
Transitioning to a plant-based London Assembly would significantly cut emissions, reduce deforestation, and ease the strain on natural resources, all while promoting a healthier, more resilient London. It’s a clear, actionable step towards a greener future, yet it remains off the Mayor’s agenda.
The Call for Change
Concerned Londoners are urging the Mayor to reconsider his stance and lead the way on this critical issue. In a city known for its progressive values and forward-thinking policies, this is the bold leadership we need now more than ever.
