Coolfood
Coolfood helps people and organizations reduce the climate impact of their food through shifting toward more plant-rich diets.
Food production is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Some foods generate more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than others. Food that comes from animals make up two-thirds of all agricultural GHG emissions and use more than three-quarters of agricultural land. Plant-based foods generally have a much lower environmental impact. Simple changes to diets and enjoying more plant-based foods can make a substantial difference for the climate.
Coolfood is committed to helping businesses and organizations cut the climate impact of the food they serve. Our efforts are already impacting millions of meals a day.
If you are a business looking to reduce the impact of the food you serve, there are two ways you can help make a difference: by taking the Coolfood Pledge or through labeling Coolfood Meals on your menu. Diners can look out for the Coolfood Meals badge when they shop or dine out.
The Coolfood Pledge helps your organization commit to and achieve a science-based target to reduce the climate impact of the food you serve. Organizations serving 940 million meals a year have signed up.
Members are guided through a three-step approach: Pledge, Plan and Promote. Members commit to a target of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the food they serve by 25% by 2030 relative to a 2015 baseline —a level of ambition in line with achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Informed by the pioneering work of the Better Buying Lab, our Coolfood team guides members through a strategic planning process to serve more climate-friendly food while meeting other dining-related targets.
Finally, the Coolfood Pledge team works with members to create inspiring messaging that engages diners and employees, and promotes their achievements to press, on social media and at an annual event. Members of the CoolFood Pledge include hospitals, cities, universities, companies, restaurants and more.
The Coolfood Meals badge is a simple, effective and exciting way of communicating to consumers which dishes on a menu are climate friendly. Coolfood Meals have a low carbon footprint, already meeting the level of food-related emissions should have by 2030, as indicated by our research. Using an ingredients list, WRI calculates a dish’s carbon footprint by analyzing the agricultural supply chain and land used to produce the meal. If the carbon footprint falls below an established per-meal threshold and meets nutritional standards, it is certified as a CoolFood Meal. Launched in October 2020, Panera Bread is the first restaurant to feature the CoolFood Meals badge on its menu.
The Coolfood Pledge is an initiative of WRI, UN Environment, Climate Focus, Healthcare Without Harm, Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, Practice Greenhealth, EAT, and Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Photo Credit: Push Thinking
