NYC Goes On 'Planetary Health Diet' In Global Climate Change Effort

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Eric Adams is putting New York City on a diet — but don't worry, it won't be vegan.

The mayor announced Monday that the Big Apple will join almost 100 cities worldwide who are tackling climate change by putting in place a "Planetary Health Diet," or a series of sustainability guidelines for food in schools, hospitals or other public buildings.

By changing what food the city buys and how much of it is wasted, the diet will reduce carbon emissions and boost healthy options, according to the mayor.

"We’re committing to a future where city dwellers have access to sustainable, nutritious and delicious food and that as little as possible will go to waste," Adams said. "That's crucial to our environment."

The planetary health diet was started in 2019 by 14 cities, including London, whose mayor joined Adams for the announcement on Monday.

The "Good Food Cities" contend that the diet, if put in place globally, could cut greenhouse gas emissions from food by more than 60 percent and save 11 million lives each year. Food is among the biggest sources of consumption-based emissions in cities, according to the organization.

In what is likely welcome news to Adams, a proud vegan, the diet includes limiting animal sources of protein and dairy.

Under the diet, New York City students will likely see half their plate filled up with fruits and veggies and the other half with mostly whole grains and plant protein sources, according to the organization. Find more examples of the diet's guidelines here.

The initiative will likely also mean shifting to organic vendors for all the city's food sources, according to the guidelines.

Cities under the "C40 Good Food Cities Declaration" will try to reach the diet goals by 2030.

Adams and London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Monday they also plan to team up on a project that will help calculate their cities' emissions, including from food. The initiative, funded by American Express, will "pioneer new ways" for New York City and London to calculate and tackle emissions.

"How we deliver our food, the food we eat, how we raise our food, is contributing to our environmental crisis," Adams said. "This is the first step toward bringing food construction materials and consumer goods into our decarbonization strategies."