Tuesday 28-04-2026 - 11:12

About a year ago, at AMM, students voted to support the Plant-Based Universities (PBU) motion. Since then, lots has happened, and Lucy, your Student Living Officer, wanted to update you on how your vote is shaping real sustainable change on campus.

Keep reading to find out 👇

A quick recap: What was the motion about?

At AMM 2025, students voted to support the Plant‑Based Universities campaign. The motion then asked Bristol SU to:

• Push for more affordable plant‑based options at Source cafés, especially pre‑packaged items like sandwiches.
• Consult the Disability Network on any changes to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
• Update SU society accreditation so groups can be recognised for choosing plant‑based catering.

In summary, the motion was about making sustainable choices easier and more affordable for everyone 🌍

What is PBU?

Plant‑Based Universities (PBU) is a student‑led, Europe‑wide campaign across more than 60 universities.

Their focus? Encouraging universities and other big, influential institutions to lead by example on climate action through the food they serve.

They’re not asking individuals to change their personal diets, or telling everyone to go vegan, it’s about the food system change. We know that universities play a huge role in shaping social norms, and PBU argues that sustainable catering should reflect the research and climate commitments unis already champion, and so do we!

What have we done since the vote at AMM?

Your support at AMM has already led to meaningful changes:

The SU Hatch opened

We launched The Hatch, offering affordable, fully plant‑based food for students. It’s designed to be low‑cost, filling, and accessible. You can find it in the Hawthornes!

Commitment to long‑term affordability

We’re now developing a policy to ensure The Hatch menu stays cheap and plant‑based for years to come, protecting affordability for students, while serving sustainable food.

Working with Source

We’ve been meeting with Source café teams to explore how we can reduce food costs on campus and improve those plant‑based options (especially sandwiches).

Updated society accreditation

Point 14 of SU accreditation has officially changed to include:

Offering 100% plant‑based catering as a way to meet accreditation criteria

This means societies choosing plant‑based options get recognition for their sustainability efforts.

How students can keep shaping this work

The PBU Bristol group is now asking university departments to explore plant‑based catering too. Departments like Philosophy (now 50% plant‑based) and Biology (already 100% vegetarian!) are leading the way.

If you’d like to support the campaign or find out more:

Sign the petition to show your support.

Follow PBU Bristol on Instagram

Join their WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FXrM4IgIDLD0lMli82fKmV

Everyone is welcome! 🪴

This past year shows what happens when students come together, use their voice, and vote on the issues they care about. From new food spaces to policy changes, your choices at AMM continue to create real impact!

If you have an idea for a change on campus, don't forget to submit it to our Ideas Board!