# University of Bern Canonical URL: [University of Bern](https://plantbaseduniversities.org/university-of-bern) Campaign last updated: 2026-11-01T00:21:50.325Z City: Bern ## Let's make Bern plant-based\! As young students, we are increasingly concerned about the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Animal production and fishing are among the main causes of environmental destruction and contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, overfishing of the oceans, and habitat destruction. Signatures displayed: 1,052. Current signature goal: 2,000. Counts can change. ## 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. Every meal Bern serves is a choice between perpetuating this crisis or being part of the solution. ## What can we do? ### thounsends meals/day served at the University of Bern Every plate is a decision Bern makes and can change. University of Bern has already committed to climate-neutral as an institution by 2030. Going 100% plant-based is one of the most visible, controllable ways to actually deliver on that promise. ## Is that even possible? The University of Neuchâtel went fully plant-based. Vienna goes fully vegetarian — and the Univesity of Bern can be next\! ## Petition To all university members For Sustainable, Plant-Based Catering at the University of Bern - Petition Text The Plant-Based Universities campaign is a student-led initiative currently active at over 80 universities in the United Kingdom, the EU, and the USA, including successfully completed campaigns at 12 universities. "The University of Bern has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral as an institution by 2025 in all areas where it has direct influence. This ambitious goal is not only a necessity for the University of Bern due to the continued unchecked warming of the climate, but also a matter of credibility, since it is among the world's most recognized research institutions in climate change research." (University of Bern, 14.12.2020, accessed 10.09.24). As young students, we are increasingly concerned about the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Animal production and fishing are among the main causes of environmental destruction and contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, overfishing of the oceans, and habitat destruction. Our concern is based on extensive scientific evidence: a meta-analysis of over 38,000 farms in 119 countries found that the production of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products currently uses about 83% of the world's agricultural land, even though they provide only 37% of our protein and 18% of our calories. However, a shift to plant-based nutrition could reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 49% and significantly decrease land and water use (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). To achieve its climate neutrality goal, the University of Bern must transition to fully plant-based catering. This step is crucial to reducing our ecological footprint and aligning the university's actions with its commitments to sustainability and climate. We therefore call on the University of Bern to gradually transition to fully plant-based catering. Our demand aims to steer the university, as an institution, away from environmentally harmful industries. Universities are centers of knowledge, and much of the scientific evidence on the climate impact of animal production comes from academic institutions. These institutions therefore have an obligation to address these findings and take the necessary measures. We call on all members of the university, students, faculty, and staff, to support this initiative and actively participate in this significant change. Together, we can show that academic institutions can play a pioneering role in shaping a sustainable future. ## Get involved and follow updates [Visit the campaign page](https://plantbaseduniversities.org/university-of-bern) to join the team or sign the petition, and read the latest campaign timeline. Contact: pbubern@gmail.com [Campaign Instagram](https://instagram.com/pbubern)