Austin and Houston are members of a climate initiative that aims to end meat and dairy consumption.

The Texas cities are members of C40 Cities, which describes itself as a “global network of mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis.” The group set an “ambitious goal” for itself in its 2019 report: ending meat consumption, dairy consumption, and private transportation and reducing individuals’ clothing purchases to three per year by 2030.

Austin and Houston’s memberships in C40 Cities were first reported by the Texas Scorecard.

A spokesperson for the City of Austin said it does not back the more radical aspects of the C40 report.

“In Austin, our City Council adopts our climate goals — none of which aim to end meat or dairy consumption, place limits on clothing purchases, or eliminate private vehicles,” the spokesperson told The Dallas Express.

Local officials in Houston did not respond to a request for comment.

Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities, said emissions must be reduced by at least half in participating municipalities.

“As always, C40 has adopted a science-based approach and that science is clear: average consumption-based emissions in C40 cities must halve within the next 10 years,” Watts said in the group’s 2019 report. “In our wealthiest and highest consuming cities that means a reduction of two thirds or more by 2030.”

C40 Cities is backed by an extensive list of influential corporations and left-wing donors, according to its website. Such backers include the Clinton Foundation, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hewlett Foundation, the World Bank, and Google.

Austin and Houston have been members of C40 Cities since 2006, according to the group’s website. There are 17 cities in the United States participating in the network. The cities comprising the group represent one-quarter of the global economy, according to a press release.

C40 Cities, in its 2019 report, states the “ambitious” goals act as a guide and are not a requirement for membership:

“This report does not advocate for the wholesale adoption of these more ambitious targets in C40 cities; rather, they are included to provide a set of reference points that cities, and other actors, can reflect on when considering different emission-reduction alternatives and long-term urban visions.”