Over 850 academics have signed an open letter calling for 100 per cent plant-based catering in Irish universities.
It will also be distibuted to universities around the world as part of the global Plant-Based Universities campaign.
60 signatures came from academics at Trinity College and the University of Galway.
Co-founder of the movement, Nathan McGovern hopes it will spark a "bold wave of climate action" in universities.
He said: "We have campaigns across the UK and Ireland, including Trinity College Dublin, Cork and Galway, and our teams there will really be building on the momentum that this open letter provides.
"[They] will really getting into conversation with other students and managers at universities about how we can make this transition in a way that works for everyone."
Climate crisis
Nathan McGovern also says eating a plant-based diet is the "key" to solving the climate crisis.
The open letter calls for universities to adopt 100% just and sustainable plant-based catering because of research linking animal farming and fishing to the climate and ecological crises.
A recent Oxford University study suggested that a plant-based food system would have 75% less environmental impact than our current one.
Michelle Farnham, 25, Coordinator of the Plant-Based Universities campaign said: "We’ve already seen 7 universities make the commonsense commitment towards 100% just and sustainable plant-based catering, all that remains is for others to step up and show the same level of climate leadership.
BREAKING: 850+ Academics & Notables Call For Plant-Based Universities
An open letter signed by the likes of @ChrisGPackham has just been released. The letter is calling on universities to transition to 100% plant-based catering in order to tackle the climate and nature crises. pic.twitter.com/HycLa13fIq
— Plant-Based Universities (@plantbasedunis) September 4, 2023
