The 10th anniversary of the WHO’s classification of processed red meat as a carcinogen is raising awareness about its health and environmental impacts ahead of the upcoming COP30 summit. The IARC’s classification highlighted the increased risk of colorectal cancer from consuming processed meat, urging governments to prioritize plant-based solutions.

ProVeg International is advocating for the promotion of plant-based diets at COP30, with a Declaration calling for national Action Plans for Plant-Based Foods by 2027. The organization emphasizes the benefits of transitioning to plant-based foods for human health, industry, farmers, and the environment, with initiatives like the Cultiva project supporting farmers in transitioning to plant-based agroforestry. This push for a policy change towards plant-based diets aligns with the EAT-Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet, stressing the importance of plant-rich foods amid a growing global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050.