The move means they join 35 towns and cities worldwide, including Tavira, and European capitals, Amsterdam, Belfast and Edinburgh, in calling for a global Plant Based Treaty to be added to the Paris Agreement.

The motion was introduced by Eng. Altino Bessa, from the Environment Council, and recognises that “animal agriculture is responsible for around 43% of methane emissions in Portugal, being above the global average of 32%,” and, “Portugal has a legal commitment to reduce GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 2005, and by 90% by 2050.”

The motion states: “Portugal has the highest footprint per capita of all the Mediterranean countries due to its high consumption of meat and fish (such as tuna, swordfish and cod), accounting for 30% of its ecological footprint, higher than the transport sector (20%), and the food system is of enormous importance in reducing its environmental impact…. Making a transition towards plant-based diets has the potential to reduce land use for food by 76% globally, allowing us to reforest land and restore carbon sinks.”


The Plant Based Treaty motion commits Braga to developing an ambitious plant-based food strategy, including:

  1. Use municipal communication channels to encourage sustainable, affordable eating habits and address food insecurity;
  2. Collaborate with community groups to establish new community gardens and assess vacant land for plant-based food production;
  3. Organise plant-based cooking workshops with local organisations;
  4. Promote organic horticulture in schools and educate students on the environmental and ethical impact of food choices.

Noel Santos, Plant Based Treaty Portugal campaigner said, “We ended 2024 with Tavira's endorsement and now we begin 2025 with Braga's commitment to this call for a Global Plant Based Treaty. All the more so after we met with Tavira's executive and agreed on further measures to facilitate access to menu changes both in schools and in the town's cafés and restaurants. This will be the year of the Plant Based Treaty in Portugal.”


In October 2024, Tavira became the first city in Portugal to endorse the Plant Based Treaty and commit to:

  1. Support and develop awareness-raising and information campaigns on the environmental impacts and health benefits of plant-based foods;
  2. Strive to reduce consumption of animal-based products and meals in schools and local organisations;
  3. Promote initiatives to increase wild trees and plants, green corridors and community crops in public spaces;
  4. Implement measures for food sovereignty, especially aimed at people on low incomes.

The Plant Based Treaty is modeled on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and since its launch in August 2021, the initiative has received support from 36 cities, almost a quarter million individual endorsers, 5 Nobel laureates, IPCC scientists, and more than 3000 groups and businesses.

The Plant Based Treaty has secured high-profile endorsements from celebrities, including Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney, who issued a written statement calling for politicians to support the Plant-Based Treaty. They said: “We believe in justice for animals, the environment and people. That’s why we support the Plant Based Treaty and urge individuals and governments to sign it.”