ProVeg International believes this reflects the growing acknowledgment of universities' cultural influence and their ‘pivotal role’ in shaping ethical perspectives and sustainable practices within society.
This month, the student unions at the Universities of Falmouth and Exeter voted to transition to a 100% plant-based menu, joining a list of universities including Warwick, Stirling, Cambridge, Birmingham, Kent, London Metropolitan, Queen Mary University of London and University College London.
The votes are among university student unions and any bars or cafés they run on campus, but the result of these votes have no bearing on the majority of catering outlets at universities.
Outside of the UK, the University of Graz in Austria has already opted for plant-based catering. In the Netherlands, students at several universities began campaigning to get their universities to switch to fully plant-based catering.
Lucia Hortelano, ProVeg International EU senior policy manager, said: “It's encouraging to see the academic centres of Europe embrace climate-friendly food. There’s certainly a growing momentum, but it’s important that other universities follow suit.
“We need to seize this momentum, because for some students, it’s not just a matter of whether the school will adopt fully plant-based menus - sometimes it’s whether the canteen will even offer plant-based options. Universities wield considerable cultural influence and play a pivotal role in shaping ethical perspectives and sustainable practices within society.
“As hubs of knowledge and innovation, they are instrumental in educating future leaders and driving research on pressing global issues, including the climate crisis. By transitioning to fully plant-based menus, universities can lead by example, demonstrating a genuine commitment to addressing the climate and ecological emergencies.”