Ghent’s urban food policy wins UN climate action award

Ghent’s urban food policy, Ghent en Garde, has been honoured with one of this year’s United Nations Global Climate Action Awards. Ghent is the first Belgian city to win this award. The awards are intended to shine a light on practical examples of what people around the world are doing to combat climate change.

Ghent was one of the first European cities to launch its own urban food policy, called Ghent en Garde (in 2013). Ghent’s urban food policy demonstrates the potential to transform the food systems at the local urban level. Ghent en Garde has been leading example in Belgium and other European countries. Our city has regularly shared the methods and learnings from their local food initiatives with other Belgian cities, while its food policy has also been exchanged with cities all across the world. Ghent wins the UN Global Climate Action award in the category Planetary Health.

Ghent en Garde aims to strengthen short food supply chains in the city, while increasing sustainable production and consumption. It also aspires to provide better access to food and decrease food waste. Initiatives have included systems to redistribute surplus food to those in need, encouragement for community vegetable gardens and promotion of the weekly vegetarian day Donderdag Veggiedag. According to the UN, the project demonstrates the potential to transform food systems at the local level.

The awards were selected by an international panel from 670 applications from all over the world.