Sam Ebner-Landy and Plant Based Councils campaigners in the Town Hall chamber

• I WRITE in support of Sam Ebner-Landy’s deputation urging Camden Council to go plant-based, (Ready to give up your chicken and chips? Council is urged to go meat-free to help save the planet, November 23).

As a scientist, I fully endorse the view that it is crucial councils shift to plant-based catering as soon as possible. A report from Oxford university showed that adapting our diet is one of the most effective things we can all do in the face of climate breakdown.

The detailed, peer-reviewed, study shows that a fully plant-based diet results in 75 per cent less climate-heating emissions, water pollution and land use than a diet including 100g of meat daily, while even a reduction in meat consumption can significantly lower impact.

The study also showed that what we eat is more important than where it comes from. So even the most organic, locally-reared, meat has a higher environmental cost than the least sustainable plant-based food.

Professor Neil Ward at East Anglia university said: “Dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a major contribution to reducing the UK’s environmental footprint.”

Councils and other organisations must include food strategy in their climate policies; with animal agriculture contributing 14.5 per cent of global emissions. Failing to do so would be as neglectful as omitting transport policy.

Well done Oxfordshire County and Oxford City councils for leading the way by committing to plant-based catering for their meetings and events. Could all the local district councils now follow?

I urge everyone to consider the scientific evidence, and it would only make sense for our London councils to lead the way.

I would also like to say thank you to Councillor Rishi Madlani for his support.

DR KRISTINA ZELJIC, N7