Imperial College London votes for 100 per cent plant-based catering at its Students’ Union

Students at Imperial College London (ICL) voted on Tuesday to adopt a 100 per cent plant based menu at its SU.

The vote calls on the Students’ Union to adopt a 50 per cent plant based menu by the academic year 2027/28, then increase by 10 per cent each year.

Imperial’s SU will also formally endorse the Plant Based Universities campaign, which calls on all universities to “just and sustainable plant based catering to tackle the climate and nature crises.”

The vote follows a report published by Bryant Research, a partner of Plant Based Universities, which found universities would be financially and environmentally better off if they switched to vegan catering.

Hollie, a fourth year medical student and Plant Based Universities co-ordinator at ICL said: “We are overjoyed to see our fellow students join calls for Imperial to show that it takes the climate crisis seriously.”

She added: “Animal farming and fishing are wrecking the planet and the lives of millions across the globe and now is the time to take a definitive step towards a plant-based future.”

Bristol’s Students’ Union passed a similar vote on Tuesday, as well as UCL, London Met, and Queen Mary, University of London all passed their own plant based catering proposals in 2023.

Last month, ICL’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein held a conference of cross-discipline scientists to share their research into food scarcity and climate change.

Professor Hugh Brady, ICL President said: “Food security is a huge global challenge that demands an urgent global response. Imperial’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein brings together world-class research and cutting-edge industry expertise to innovate across disciplines and shape the future of food.”

Featured image via Plant Based Universities on Instagram