# University of Cambridge

Canonical URL: [University of Cambridge](https://plantbaseduniversities.org/cambridge)

Campaign last updated: 2026-10-01T08:13:56.973Z

City: Cambridge

## A climate campaign for 100% plant-based catering at the University of Cambridge.

Cambridge is going plant-based – the question isn’t ‘if’ but ‘when’

This campaign is recruiting team members. There is no public petition on this page.

## What is the problem?

### 57% of food emissions come from animal products

Food systems are responsible for around a third of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and animal products are the dominant driver. Meat and dairy alone generate more emissions than all the world's planes, ships, and cars combined. 

Transitioning to a plant-based food system could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as decrease land use for food production, enabling large-scale carbon sequestration and strengthening food security. Moreover, reducing reliance on animal-source foods can mitigate the risks of antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic disease outbreaks, both of which are already fuelled by animal agriculture.

The adverse effects of climate change disproportionately impact communities in regions that have contributed the least to global emissions but bear the brunt of environmental degradation and food insecurity. A university-wide transition to plant-based catering represents a critical opportunity to enact a just and science-driven response to this crisis.

## What can we do?

As a globally influential research institution, the University of Cambridge has a responsibility to lead by example in addressing climate change. By aligning its institutional practices with the best scientific evidence, the University not only acknowledges the urgency of climate change mitigation but actively demonstrates evidence-based sustainability leadership.

Plant-Based Cambridge (PBCam) has worked to implement just and accessible plant-based catering since the Students’ Union (SU) voted to support a transition to 100% plant-based catering in February 2023. Through campaigning and collaboration across colleges, departments, central University catering and the SU, students are leading the way towards a fully plant-based University of Cambridge.

## Is that even possible?

The Cambridge Students’ Union has voted three times in favour of a transition to fully plant-based catering. Increasing the proportion of plant-based food is the number one priority of the CamEATS ZERO Sustainable Food Guidance for colleges. Departments have passed 100% plant-based policies. Cambridge is going plant-based – the question isn’t ‘if’ but ‘when’.

## Get involved and follow updates

[Visit the campaign page](https://plantbaseduniversities.org/cambridge) to join the team, and read the latest campaign timeline.

Contact: plantbased@cambridgesu.co.uk

[Campaign Instagram](https://instagram.com/plantbased_cam)