Veganuary is a UK-based non-profit organization that encourages people worldwide to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. Founded in 2013 by Matthew Glover and Jane Land, their goal was to promote veganism as a fun, easy, and accessible lifestyle choice.

The first Veganuary campaign launched in January 2014, attracting 3,300 participants from various countries. But since then, the movement has gone from strength to strength - in 2018 170,000 people participated, in 2019 sign-ups reached 250,000, and in 2020 400,000 people took part. By November 2020, Veganuary welcomed its one-millionth supporter.

One of the reasons for this growth is that the Veganuary team provide participants with starter packs, meal plans, and access to an online community for support, which make it easier to take part and stick to the challenge! These tools help individuals explore veganism and often lead to long-term dietary changes. Surveys indicate that about 50% of participants choose to remain vegan after January, finding the lifestyle more enjoyable and accessible than anticipated.

However, Veganuary's impact extends beyond individual people switching their diets, with impacts to both businesses and the environment:

• Business Impact - The campaign collaborates with businesses to create new plant-based product offerings, leading 600 restaurants and supermarkets to launch more than 1,200 new vegan products. This corporate outreach has contributed to a significant increase in vegan options, making it easier for people to maintain a plant-based diet.
• Environmental Impact – The environmental benefits associated with Veganuary are also noteworthy. If 350,000 people take part each January, they can collectively save 41,200 tonnes of CO₂, 160 tonnes of Phosphate from waterways, and 2.5 million litres of water - the equivalent of filling an Olympic-sized swimming pool!

In summary, Veganuary has grown from a modest campaign into a global movement, significantly influencing dietary habits, business practices, and environmental conservation efforts. Its success demonstrates a shifting perspective towards veganism, highlighting its feasibility and benefits for individuals and the planet.

Have you taken part this past month? Would you consider taking part next year?