New research has highlighted how councils could use food purchasing and advertising policies to help tackle climate change.
Food and drink production accounts for more than one-third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Councils can help reduce this impact by choosing more environmentally sustainable food for schools, leisure centres and other council-run sites. They can also influence the types of food advertised on property they own or manage.
Researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria and Oxford University found that only a small number of English councils have introduced climate-friendly food advertising and purchasing policies, despite most having declared a climate emergency.
The study calls for clearer national guidance to help councils develop stronger, more consistent policies and support climate-friendly diets across England.
