Protestors take to Trent Bridge with 'go vegan or we all die' banner

An animal rights organisation has unfurled a banner on Trent Bridge urging people to "go vegan or we all die". PETA supporters gathered on the Nottingham bridge at around 12pm on Monday (April 22) to mark Earth Day.

In doing so, the group said they were protesting about Nottingham City Council's plans to make Nottingham the UK's first carbon neutral city by 2028. PETA argues that to reach this goal, the city council has made no mention of eating more vegan foods.

Kate Werner, senior campaigns manager with PETA, said: "A plan to go carbon neutral that doesn't address the impact of animal agriculture is just hot air. PETA is asking everyone to take personal responsibility for the climate catastrophe by going vegan."

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Despite the criticism of Nottingham City Council, its Carbon Neutral 2028 plan makes repeated reference to eating plant-based foods. The plan states: "Food accounts for a massive 25% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions... More than half of the emissions from food come from animal-based products, especially beef and dairy. Beef farming is also one of the top reasons for deforestation.

"Increasing the amount of plant-based meals you eat is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint – and it can be better for your health too... We are increasing the proportion of meals served in our schools to be plant-based and looking to increase the choice for plant-based food in our other council facilities."

In terms of the actions it is encouraging residents to take to help Nottingham meet the 2028 goal, the council says people should "eat more plant-based meals and reduce how much meat and dairy you consume." The authority has in particular urged people to try meat free Monday, a campaign launched by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney in 2009.

Speaking previously about Nottingham City Council's continued commitment to the carbon neutral 2028 goal despite its financial crisis, leader Councillor David Mellen said: "We still have that ambition. We can't ever do it by ourselves. Emissions of the city council went down in the last recorded year whereas emissions in Nottingham went up."

Nottingham City Council pointed out that other action to increase the emissions of food has included enhancing school menus to make sure there are multiple vegetarian and/or vegan options every day. The authority says it won a national award for its work to "push and promote more carbon-friendly menus."