The University of Salzburg has been nominated for the 2026 Sustainability Award for its pioneering “Veggie Month” initiative, a campaign designed to promote climate‑friendly eating habits, support student wellbeing, and highlight the true environmental costs of meat consumption.
Animal‑based foods account for roughly one third of all human‑generated greenhouse gas emissions, significantly contributing to global warming. A large proportion of global biodiversity loss stems from the production of animal feed, while intensive livestock farming raises serious concerns regarding animal welfare, antibiotic resistance, and public health. Excessive meat consumption is also linked to increased risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
As centres of education, research, and innovation, universities play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges and advancing sustainable development within planetary boundaries. Their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on a holistic understanding of ecological, social, economic, and cultural systems - and on the active engagement of their communities.
The Austrian Nutrition Society recommends just one portion of meat per week, a stark contrast to current consumption patterns and typical food‑service offerings.
All vegetarian and vegan meals subsidised
To raise awareness of the environmental and health impacts of meat, make the “true costs” of consumption visible, and support low‑income students, the University of Salzburg’s Rectorate introduced a targeted intervention: for one month each semester, all vegetarian and vegan (veg*) meals were subsidised by two euros.
The effect was immediate and striking. During the subsidised months, the share of vegetarian and vegan dishes ordered rose sharply, reaching significantly higher levels than before the intervention. Over the course of the campaign, this shift resulted in thousands of additional veg* meals being chosen – translating into substantial CO₂ savings, comparable to avoiding well over 100,000 kilometres of car journeys.
The Sustainability Award will be presented for the tenth time in 2026. The official ceremony, including the announcement of the winning projects, will take place on 9 June 2026 in Vienna. More information on the other nominated projects are available on the website of the Forum Umweltbildung.
Update 10 June 2026: The project won the silver medal.
