Worldchefs joined climate leaders, policymakers, and community changemakers in Brussels for Together in Action 2026, the European Climate Pact’s annual event. The gathering brought together more than 800 participants in Brussels, many more online, and nearly 150 speakers from 25 countries for discussions on climate resilience, collaboration, and practical action across Europe.
Chefs at the Center of Climate Action
For Worldchefs, the event reinforced a clear message: food systems must be part of the climate conversation, and chefs have an important role to play in turning ambition into action. The program included sessions on food systems for a just transition, resilience across sectors including food, and tackling greenwashing in climate communication. These themes are directly relevant to the culinary profession, from sourcing and menu development to waste reduction, education, and consumer influence.
Chefs have a unique role in connecting climate action to everyday practice across the food system.
Connie Lau, Director of Operations and Projects at Worldchefs
Climate Goals Drive Change with FoodChoices4LIFE
This is why FoodChoices4LIFE matters. FoodChoices4LIFE is a European Commission co-funded project led by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC) with Worldchefs and the University of Tuscia, designed to accelerate climate action and behavioral change in EU food systems through better food choices. The project empowers chefs, associations, and citizens across the 27 EU Member States, combining science-backed communication, public engagement, and training to support healthier, more sustainable, and less wasteful eating habits.
The project is ambitious by design. According to the project framework, FoodChoices4LIFE aims to organize more than 100 in-person events across Europe, reach over 500,000 people through campaigns, engage more than 500 chefs, and train journalists and local administrators. This creates a practical pathway to connect the influence of the professional kitchen with European climate goals and to make chef-led climate action more visible, scalable, and evidence-based.
FoodChoices4LIFE also builds on strong foundations, as it is a continuation of the earlier EU LIFE initiatives, Climate Smart Chefs. It builds upon the previous intiatives’ network, and with Worldchefs now coordinating the new secretariat, the organization’s role strengthens as a connector between policy, science, culinary education, and implementation on the ground.
Feed the Planet: Scaling Global Impact
That European engagement is reinforced by Worldchefs’ broader global sustainability work through Feed the Planet. Feed the Planet encompasses all of Worldchefs sustainability efforts, in collaboration with Electrolux Food Foundation and AIESEC, aimed to educate, empower, and mobilize communities. The efforts do this through chef education, food waste reduction workshops, and awareness-building. As of today, Feed the Planet’s impact is widespread, with more than 13,000 graduates have completed the program Sustainability Education for Culinary Professionals across 55+ countries, while the Food Heroes initiative has reached more than 300,000 children in over 30 countries. Learn more about Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet activations here.
“As we see through Feed the Planet, the impact of our work is measured by the people and communities it reaches. Chefs return to their kitchens with a deeper understanding of sustainability, and young people discover that their food choices matter. It’s about building a shared sense of responsibility. What continues to inspire me is how chefs across the world are embracing their role as educators and advocates, showing that when we ground our actions in values, we can help shape a more sustainable future.”
– Shonah Chalmers, Chair of Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet Committee
A key takeaway from the European Climate Pact event in Brussels was that progress depends on science, honesty, and context. Climate action cannot rely on one-size-fits-all solutions, and it cannot be diluted by greenwashing. Different countries, geographies, and food cultures face different realities. What matters is building practical pathways forward and working together with purpose.
For Worldchefs, that means continuing to bring the chef voice into climate discussions and turning dialogue into action across kitchens, classrooms, communities, and supply chains. Through initiatives like FoodChoices4LIFE and Feed the Planet, Worldchefs is showing that chefs are an essential part of the food system, with the power to help lead its transition toward a healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable future.
“It is very important that Worldchefs is part of these conversations and dialogues. Through FoodChoices4Life and our wider Feed the Planet initiatives, we work with chefs as change agents to reduce food waste, strengthen sustainability in the kitchen, and influence customers toward better food choices. Chefs have a unique role in connecting climate action to everyday practice across the food system.”
– Connie Lau, Director of Operations and Projects at Worldchefs
