Published: Saturday, 6th November 2021

Royal Borough of Greenwich has signed The Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, reiterating the council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

The signing of the Declaration brings together forward-thinking local and regional authorities in their commitment to addressing the climate emergency through reforming food systems, as well as calling on national governments to act.

The Declaration was presented to COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, on Saturday 6 November, by signatories from across the world in a presentation event at Glasgow City Chambers.

The Royal Greenwich commitment reads as follows:

“We fully endorse the commitments outlined in the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration by promoting the principles of the Good Food in Greenwich partnership; a network of businesses, community organisations, council and families who want to make Greenwich a borough for Good Food; food that is good for our people, our planet, our local communities and economies. In Greenwich we are embedding food related issues within our carbon neutral action plan and working towards achieving the Sustainable Food Places silver level award.”

COP26 is shining a light on how reforming the way food is produced and what kind of food is eaten is a key way to address to the climate emergency. Changes to food policies would benefit biodiversity, help ecosystems around London to redevelop, help residents in Royal Greenwich to eat sustainably and healthily, and support the livelihoods for farm and food workers.

Councillor Sarah Merrill, Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said: “The Royal Borough of Greenwich is wholly committed to helping tackle the climate emergency, and this includes calling for reforming systems of how we produce and eat food.

“Much of the innovation around sustainable food systems happens at a local level and by signing the Declaration we will have a role in global conversations on climate, nature, food and health, and demand action from national governments and international institutions.”

Councillor Miranda Williams, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults’ Social Care, said:

“Through the Good Food in Greenwich partnership we are already working hard to change food systems and protect our planet. For example, at Sitopia, an urban farm in our borough, regenerative agricultural techniques are used to support the environment and connect local communities.”

Learn more about the Royal Borough of Greenwich carbon neutral plan at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/carbonneutralplan

Become a Good Food in Greenwich Member at goodfoodingreenwich.org/membership