In honor of World Food Day 2020, NYU proudly joins the Cool Food Pledge, a commitment to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2030. This food pledge will encompass all dining facilities in NYU’s campuses in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi.

“What we eat matters,” said Andrew Hamilton, President of New York University. “Global food systems account for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, with animal-based products having a far greater impact than legumes, vegetables, and fruit. When fully operational, NYU’s dining halls serve over 6 million meals each year, meaning addressing the environmental footprint of food is a powerful addition to NYU’s – and New York’s – efforts to curb climate change.”

Though an ambitious target for food emissions, NYU consistently raises the bar in setting and meeting climate-related commitments. In 2012, NYU met its 10-year pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings 30% in just five years. The University is now on its way to reducing emissions 50% by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. 

NYU has already incorporated the Eat-Lancet and Menus of Change frameworks into its dining principles, emphasizing a variety of sustainability objectives, including an increase in plant-based menu items and local sourcing of ingredients. All NYU dining locations are also Green Restaurant Association certified, which holds them accountable for meeting additional sustainability measures related to water, waste, energy, and more. NYU is now joining the Cool Food Pledge to make these efforts more public, raise the profile of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food, and assist others to do the same. 

Cool Food Pledge provides guidance on developing a plan for serving more climate-friendly food while meeting other dining-related targets. Each signatory receives an annual report showing greenhouse gas emissions by food type, trends year-over-year, and comparison to overall performance. 

Read NYU’s press release for more information about NYU’s pledge to cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions through the Cool Food Pledge.