The Conservative-led Haywards Heath Town Council has signed the Plant Based Treaty, becoming the first town in Europe to do so and the 18th local authority world-wide to do so.
Nicola Harris, communications director at Plant Based Treaty, says, "Haywards Heath’s decision to call for urgent global action on plant-based solutions to the climate crisis demonstrates true leadership. It will be welcomed by those experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change.
"Record-breaking 40C+ temperatures this summer are a bleak reminder that cuts to emissions from fossil fuels and animal agriculture can’t come soon enough. Animal farming is directly responsible for a third of human-caused methane. Therefore we need local, national and international cooperation to reduce food-related emissions through a shift to plant-based diets, boosted by action on food waste."
Vegan Conservatives signed the treaty in February and co-chair Graham Godwin-Pearson says, "Many local authorities have declared a climate emergency and/or a biodiversity emergency. We urge other councils at all levels to sign the Plant Based Treaty to help engender change that will benefit the environment, animal welfare and food sovereignty."
