Let's make the University of Vienna plant-based!
In the face of the climate crisis we urge universities to transition to fully plant-based procurement - and students all across Europe are joining their forces. Together we can turn the University of Vienna plant-based next!
The case for going
plant-based at Vienna
What is the problem?
57% of food emissions come from animal products
Food systems are responsible for around a third of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and animal products are the dominant driver. Meat and dairy alone generate more emissions than all the world's planes, ships, and cars combined. Every plate served in the cafeteria, every catering ordered and snack bought is a decision that the University of Vienna makes between perpetuating this crisis or being part of the solution.
What can we do?
Food choices we make today shape our tomorrow
Every plate served in the cafeteria, every catering ordered and snack bought is a decision that the University of Vienna makes - and can change. Universities, as institutions that shape and generate knowledge, have the power and responsibility to transform our culture and society and lead us towards a better future.
The University of Vienna has already made a first step towards this goal; as of October 2026, a new guideline promoting greater sustainability, introduced by the University of Vienna’s event team, has come into effect. Among other things, it stipulates that meat-free food is to become the standard for catering from now on.
This decision marks progress towards taking care of our shared future. In the face of the urgent climate crisis, we demand the University of Vienna to take a further step and commit to a 100% plant based procurement and be part of the solution!
Is that even possible?
University of Graz went fully plant-based — and University of Vienna can be next!
Want to see yourself here?
Join the team organising in Vienna.
As of October 2026, a new guideline promoting greater sustainability, introduced by the University of Vienna’s event team, has come into effect. Among other things, it stipulates that meat-free food is to become the standard for catering from now on, marking a huge and important step forward.
In spring 2026, Vienna's first 100% plant-based vending machine was introduced at Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA 2). The project was initiated by Petra Rust with the aim of providing a healthier and fully plant-based snack option on campus. The machine is primarily supplied by Bio-Lifestyle, a local organic and sustainable food business, and we are in contact with the owner.
After the success of our first canteen party and high demand, a second canteen party was hosted in March 2026. This time, even more signatures and new members were collected from this second event with around 200 attendees counted and many more plant-based toasts consumed!
Our collaboration with the Mathematics Student Representatives, who are located at Oskar-Morgenstern Platz, also gave us access to space and organizational support for our own canteen events. Our first Canteen Party where we partied for the climate and raised awaeness about our cause, took place in October 2025 and was a huge success! The event was attended by over 100 students and activities included a pub quiz, beer pong and other games as well as a dance floor.
In 2023 the University of Vienna has committed to transitioning its catering towards a 100% vegan-vegetarian offer as existing contracts expire. The Sustainability Committee Working Group on Food Services used the retendering process to introduce meat-free and minimum-vegan criteria and to establish supportive measures, including rent waivers and priority access for event catering.
The canteen at Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz was the first University of Vienna canteen to make a significant shift towards plant-based food options. The new offer reduced the emphasis on meat-based meals while substantially increasing the availability of vegetarian and plant-based dishes, resulting in an approximately 70% plant-based and 30% vegetarian food selection.
A second 100% vegan-vegetarian canteen was subsequently established at Djerassiplatz 1. Both canteens are operated by the same provider, Lia Café, which allowed the two locations to be implemented within a relatively short period of time.
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