Around half the world’s population lacks access to healthy food, clean environments, or decent wages. This situation is worsening due to geopolitical conflicts and climate change, as highlighted by a recent Lancet report.
The report notes that our global food system is a major contributor to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. It impacts not just climate, but biodiversity and land use. In their analysis, the authors of the ‘2025 EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable, and Just Food Systems’ emphasized that this inequity affects both human health and the planet’s resilience.
Launched in January 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission promotes a “planetary health diet.” This diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and small amounts of meat and dairy. The goal is to achieve sustainable food production by 2050.
The 2025 report claims to be the most thorough scientific examination of global food systems to date. It states that over half the world’s population struggles with accessing healthy diets. Although some regions have seen a decline in hunger, recent conflicts and climate impacts have reversed this progress.
Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, co-chair of the commission, points out that our actions today will shape the future of health and the planet. She emphasizes that food systems play a dual role: they contribute to current crises and hold the keys to resolving them.
The recommended planetary health diet includes:
- Grains: About 150 grams (3-4 servings) daily
- Fruits and Vegetables: 500 grams (5 servings) daily
- Nuts: 25 grams (1 serving) daily
- Legumes: 75 grams (1 serving) daily
- Meat: Minimal red meat (0-200 grams weekly) and moderate poultry (up to 400 grams weekly)
- Fish: Up to 700 grams (2 servings) weekly
- Dairy: 500 grams (1 serving) daily, plus 3-4 eggs weekly
Following this diet is linked to a significantly lower risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. The report estimates that adopting these recommendations could reduce premature deaths by 27%, potentially saving around 15 million lives each year.
Additionally, focusing on a plant-rich diet still ensures adequate intake of protein, iron, calcium, and vitamin B12 through a mix of plant and moderate animal products. As the world faces growing health and environmental challenges, embracing such dietary changes may be crucial for a healthier future for all.
For more insights, you can explore the report from the Lancet.
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Lancet report, EAT-Lancet Commission, planetary health diet, food systems, global inequity, climate change, nutrition
