Progressive Cities: Halting Climate Change through the Plant Based Treaty, Part 4 of a Multi-part series

“We are urging governments to negotiate a global [Plant Based] treaty which will include the following three principles, the ‘three Rs,’ relinquish, redirect, and restore.” In early 2024, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, became the first capital city in the European Union (EU) to endorse the Plant Based Treaty. Starting in 2024, the city planned to make plant-based meal options available at all publicly funded institutions and to introduce Vegan Friday. A few months later, Nijmegen became the second Dutch city to support the Treaty. In October 2025, Groningen became the third city in the Netherlands to endorse the Plant Based Treaty. In addition to its cities, businesses in the Netherlands have also been promoting vegan foods. Plant-based proteins already account for more than 40% of all proteins sold by Dutch supermarkets.

According to a recent study, Brazil has seen a 460% increase in annual climate-related disasters since the 1990s. Consequently, in early 2025, the city of Nova Lima, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, took a courageous and unprecedented step, becoming the first city in Latin America to endorse the Plant Based Treaty. Shortly after, in late 2025, the city of Florianopolis became the third city in Brazil to sign the Plant Based Treaty, formally recognizing the climate emergency and the need to shift to a plant-based lifestyle.

For several years, Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) has warned about the disastrous consequences of climate change. She encourages government leaders to pass Vegan Laws. “Now, the leaders should save the planet, bring about peace, through the vegan diet. I am looking forward to that day. Pray that it comes soon.”