Plant-Based Universities is an international student-led campaign calling for universities and Students' Unions to adopt fully plant-based catering. [1] [2] The campaign began in late 2021 [3] in response to the climate crisis. [4] Its chapters have initiated votes in Students' Unions and, as of April 2025, been successful in one Austrian, one Dutch, one Swedish, two German, two Swiss and thirteen British universities, with around 60 active campaigns across nine countries.
As of February 2025, the campaign had been successful in the following universities:
In 2023, more than 800 experts and academics signed a letter supporting the Plant-Based Universities campaign. Signatories include Dale Vince, Caroline Lucas, George Monbiot, Etienne Scott, Chris Rapley, Chris Packham, and Helen Czerski . [25] [26] Packham said that “The student campaigners of Plant-Based Universities are making incredible changes in their institutions and it’s only right to see hundreds of academics stepping up to support them.” [26] In 2023, the campaign was nominated for an Earthshot Prize, administered by William, Prince of Wales. [27] In 2024, Plant-Based Universities was one of three British charities that received proceeds from that year's tour by musician Moby. [28]
The Countryside Alliance, a lobbying organisation that supports animal farming, has criticised the campaign, calling the university votes in favor of plant-based catering an "attack on freedom of choice." [29]
