Over 9.9 million Australians live in areas where councils have declared climate emergencies, yet most are overlooking one of the fastest ways to cut emissions: transitioning to plant-based food systems.
Since Darebin City Council made global history as the first jurisdiction to declare a climate emergency in December 2016, the movement has exploded across Australia. Today, more than 100 councils representing over one-third of Australia’s population have declared climate emergencies – but few are taking action on the food system.
The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story
The scale of climate emergency declarations across Australia reveals both unprecedented local government leadership and a massive untapped opportunity:
- Victoria leads by percentage: 35 of 79 councils (44.3%) have declared climate emergencies
- NSW leads by volume: 36 of 128 councils have made declarations
- Queensland lags behind: Only 2 councils (Noosa and Sunshine Coast) have declared
- Capital city gap: Brisbane and Perth remain the only capital cities without declarations
This groundswell of climate emergency declarations represents councils actively seeking practical, immediate ways to deliver on their climate commitments.
The Missing Piece: Food System Emissions
Here’s what most councils don’t realize: food procurement represents up to 25% of institutional carbon footprints. By transitioning to 100% plant-based catering for internal meetings and events, councils could achieve immediate, measurable emission reductions while demonstrating climate leadership to their communities.
The climate emergency demands immediate action, not future promises. While councils debate long-term strategies, they have the power to cut emissions by up to 25% through plant-based food procurement – but they need to act now.
International Precedent Shows the Way
The opportunity is proven. In the UK, 13 councils have already adopted 100% plant-based policies following systematic campaigns by PlantBasedCouncils. Meanwhile, major hospital systems like NYC Health + Hospitals serve over 1.2 million plant-based meals annually with 90% patient satisfaction.
Yet in Australia – despite having more climate emergency declarations than almost any other country – there’s currently no systematic campaign helping councils take this next logical step.
Community Expectations Are Rising
The timing couldn’t be better. Recent data shows 79% of Australians go meat-free at least weekly, while 44% believe animal agriculture contributes to climate change. Communities are already leading – they’re waiting for their councils to catch up.
As Darebin Mayor Susanne Newton noted when her council endorsed the Plant Based Treaty: “We are one council leading the way at this point, but my hope is that this is a bit like our climate emergency declaration: once one council does it, more and more can consider it until it becomes a social movement that eventually simply becomes our new normal.”
The Opportunity for Real Climate Action
Climate emergency declarations create the perfect policy window for institutional food system transformation. Councils have committed to urgent climate action – plant-based food procurement offers them a practical, immediate way to deliver meaningful emission reductions.
For the 100+ councils that have declared climate emergencies, the question isn’t whether they should take action on food systems – it’s how quickly they can start.