After all, the substance that almost everything revolves around has been guaranteed vegan for 506 years by virtue of the Purity Law. Otherwise, “climate-neutral” or “sustainable” are not the first terms that come to mind when it comes to the Wiesn, if only because of the tens of millions of flight kilometers that it triggers. At least on the Theresienwiese itself, things could be more climate-friendly, the Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt district committee thinks – and makes concrete suggestions.
It is true that landlords and showmen are already improving their climate balance with reforestation and other compensation projects, which brings valuable eco-points in the application process – but regardless of the location of the campaign. The BA wants compensatory measures in Munich and the surrounding area instead of in the tropical rainforest.
One-way packaging can hardly be found in the large tents and, according to the BA’s ideas, should also be banned from the range of small Oktoberfest stands. However, the BA sees the greatest potential in large-scale gastronomy: The BA-Greens are convinced that “people want alternatives to chicken, roast pork and fish on a stick” at the Oktoberfest as well. This applies all the more if the innkeepers are obliged to offer vegetarian and vegan delicacies cheaper than meat, flanked by a voluntary animal welfare levy.
The “traditional argument” is “anachronistic”, after all the Wiesn is no longer a horse race
In the long term, only products from regional organic farmers should be served. In order for the public to get a taste for it, the hosts would have to offer more than meatless “sham offers” such as fries or salad. With reference to measurements by the Technical University of Munich, the BA also points out a less obvious problem: gas grills and stoves emit a lot of climate-damaging methane. The city should support the hosts in the switch to electrically operated kitchens, which is due anyway.
The local politicians are of course aware that they are opening up a pretty big barrel with their package of proposals. However, only Rudolf Cermak (CSU), who described himself as a “traditionalist” and “after two years of withdrawal” wanted to go to the Oktoberfest again without a guilty conscience, voted against the application. Applicant Arne Brach (Greens) expressed full understanding, but finds the traditional argument “anachronistic” – after all, the Oktoberfest is no longer a horse race, but a mega event with six million visitors a year.