Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge
New York City, USA
Availability, Marketing and Regulation, Desirability, Norms and Preferences
Local
Citizens/Consumers, Businesses, Public Sector
Ongoing
The program seeks to reduce food-based carbon emissions by 25% by 2030 through the promotion of plant-based diets. Participants commit to tracking their food procurement practices, creating action plans, and implementing plant-forward food sourcing in cafeterias, venues, and institutions.
The initiative was launched during Earth Week 2023 as part of NYC’s integrated greenhouse gas inventory report, which identified food production as the third-largest contributor to the city's carbon footprint. It builds on the success of NYC’s public hospital and school plant-powered programs
The Mayor’s Office of Food Policy oversees the program. Participants submit annual progress reports, tracking their carbon emissions.
Participants develop plant-forward procurement strategies, set both short- and long-term milestones, and adjust operations to reduce emissions. In just a few months of implementation, some participants have reduced emissions by up to 12%, specifically from beef, which is a remarkable step in the journey toward a 25% reduction by 2030.