A BASILDON restaurant has given its backing to Basildon Council's climate change campaign which aims to help the borough reach carbon net-zero status by 2050.

Wagamama at Festival Leisure Park is supporting the council's 'Small Changes, Big Impact Campaign', which launched in the summer.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage residents and businesses to make small changes in a bid to help tackle climate change.

The council is working to become carbon net-zero by 2030 as well as looking to help residents and businesses contribute to the 2050 target of making the whole borough carbon net-zero.

Wagamama is soon to announce its new vegetarian menu for October and already boasts a menu that is 50 per cent meat free.

Senior Brand Content and Creative Manager Kelly Lithgow said: "Treading lightly on our planet through sustainable choices has always been important to us at Wagamama.

"We believe no action is too little to make a positive difference. Whether choosing to eat plant-based all of the time, or simply making a small shift, like trying a new vegan recipe out once a week.

"We're avid supporters that small choices when made collectively, lead to big change. As our new October menu launches, we will have met our goal to offer guests an even selection of plant-based and meat-containing options. With the hope that our vege-centric dishes might excite and inspire all of our guests, even our chicken katsu loyalists."

Chairman of the council's leisure and environment committee Cllr Craig Rimmer met with staff at the restaurant recently to discuss how Wagamama is changing the way it operates to reduce its carbon emissions.

He said: "I am really impressed with what I have seen, heard and tasted at Wagamama and applaud them for their efforts. To make a big impact we can all make small changes and having tried some of the vegan options on the menu I'll be reducing the amount of meat in my diet."

Basildon Council leader Cllr Andrew Baggott added: "Wagamama are really progressive in their thinking and are certainly in the vanguard of their industry making a stand against climate change. As we strive as an organisation to make our operations carbon net-zero it's essential that residents and businesses make their small changes too. Together we can make a big impact on this climate emergency."

To find out more about the campaign and make a climate change pledge click here.