World Sustainability Organization Makes 30% Plant-Based Menus a Condition of Restaurant Certification

The World Sustainability Organization's Sustainable Restaurants standard now requires 30% of menu items to be plant-based for certification. This standard aims to promote sustainability by encouraging animal welfare practices and increased plant-based options. Lever Foundation collaborated with WSO on these revisions, emphasizing the importance of integrating animal welfare requirements with plant-based benchmarks for true sustainability.

The updated Sustainable Tourism Facilities standard also includes the 30% plant-based menu requirement, along with options for sourcing animal proteins responsibly and reducing food waste. With the Global Sustainable Tourism Council also adopting a similar standard, menu composition has become a crucial factor in determining certification for restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality providers. The goal is to provide clear guidelines for operators to meet consumer demand for sustainable practices.