Norwich has become the second UK city to endorse the Plant Based Treaty.
The global initiative is calling for the UK government to acknowledge "the substantial environmental impact of meat and dairy production on climate breakdown, land use change and public health crises".
It was debated at a council meeting earlier this month where it caused a dispute between Labour and Green councillors.
The Labour group was broadly in support of encouraging people to take up more environmentally friendly diets but said it had to be a personal choice.
A Green group suggestion that all food served at the authority’s civic events be plant-based was dismissed, but a promise of options being provided was made instead.
However, the council did resolve to write to the government "supporting UK endorsement" of the treaty.
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Green city councillor Alex Catt said: “While the uptake of vegan diets has increased in recent years, we need systemic change to make this diet easy to access for all so that we can all make better choices for the planet.
“Any council that has declared a climate emergency must be matching this with action and endorsing the Plant Based Treaty is key when emissions linked to food outweigh those from many other sectors.”
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The council has pledged to support local businesses which are leading the way in the plant-based market.
Scott Heapy, co-owner of The Little Vegan Butchers, in Rose Lane, said: “I think it’s fantastic, it’s certainly time that plant-based was recognised.
"I don’t think that plant-based is just for vegans, it’s for lots of people who have allergies and all sorts of things.
“Hopefully, the local council will help, support, promote and give us places to hold more events and stuff like that."
Norwich is alongside Edinburgh and Hayward's Heath, in West Sussex, as the three UK councils to show support - with Los Angeles the most high-profile global supporter, alongside 15 Indian cities.
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