Claire Ogley
Head of Campaigns, Policy, and Research, The Vegan Society
The country’s policymakers and politicians must transition the food system to plant-based proteins to meet climate targets, improve food security, reduce healthcare spending and make us healthier.
Plant-based foods produce around one-third of the greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based foods, due to differences in land and energy use, methane emissions and resource efficiency.
Nations promoting plant-based
Claire Ogley, Head of Campaigns, Policy, and Research at The Vegan Society urges the UK to follow the examples of Denmark and South Korea, which have plans to boost the plant-based industry and transition away from animal agriculture.
“We are falling behind other countries already making moves in this area, and we need our new UK Government to recognise utilising a plant-based diet as a tool,” she explains.
These countries, alongside Spain, Germany and Austria, are taking varied approaches to promote plant-based diets, driven by environmental concerns, health benefits and changing consumer preferences.
More people than ever are open to changing their diets. However, to scale up, there is an urgent need for political leadership.
Plant-based evidence base
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on climate change and land describes plant-based diets as a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
“The Office for Health Economics did economic modelling to see potential cost savings if England were to transition to a plant-based diet — resulting in around £121 million saved for NHS England per million people,” Ogley continues.
Charity highlights education and action
“At our core, we are an educational charity, we provide resources and evidence base to help people go and stay vegan. We also trademark vegan products, produce public-facing campaigns and research and provide advice and resources to policymakers,” says Ogley.
“More people than ever are open to changing their diets. However, to scale up, there is an urgent need for political leadership. We are primed to become an advisory group for the new UK Government.”
