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The theme of National Vegetarian Week this year is ‘Mix it up’. Choosing vegetarian food more of the time is one of the easiest ways that individuals, caterers and chefs can reduce their carbon footprint. The Vegetarian Society wants to see meat consumption reduce by 50% by 2030.

The National Food Strategy, led by Henry Dimbleby on behalf of the UK Government, proposes that people in the UK should be eating 30% less meat by 2031. For people who eat meat every day, this can be achieved by going meat-free on just two days a week.

Richard McIlwain, chief executive of the Vegetarian Society, said: “Encouraging people to eat less meat, as a key activity within local authority climate action plans, could help limit the impact of climate change, given that the carbon emissions associated with meat production are typically much higher than plant-based foods.

“Committing to encouraging people to eat more plant-based foods as part of your own climate emergency plan is a great way of translating this goal into tangible action. Supporting National Vegetarian Week is an ideal opportunity.”

National Vegetarian Week is organised by the Vegetarian Society of the UK, the world’s oldest campaigning vegetarian and vegan charity formed in 1847. It campaigns to make the changes happen that need to happen. Changes to help people, to help the planet and to help animals.

For more information on the week head to www.nationalvegetarianweek.org.