New research highlights a powerful link between lifestyle changes and both health and environmental benefits regarding type 2 diabetes. A study in the journal BMJ Open found that preventing high blood glucose from developing into full-blown diabetes could significantly reduce our carbon footprint. In fact, it could cut the carbon emissions linked to treating diabetes complications by over half.
Currently, around 537 million adults worldwide live with diabetes. This number is projected to swell to 783 million by 2045, with approximately 4.4 million cases in the UK alone. In 2021, diabetes and its complications were responsible for roughly 6.7 million deaths globally, including 140,000 in the UK. The financial burden on the NHS was around £14 billion that same year.
Despite established guidelines for diabetes management, many still struggle. Research indicates that a significant percentage of people with type 2 diabetes in England and Wales—36% and 39% respectively—fail to meet their target blood sugar levels. This shows a notable gap between recommendations and real-world outcomes.
In terms of emissions, the NHS produced about 25 megatons of CO2 in 2019, representing about 4% of England’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The NHS aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, targeting an 80% reduction by 2028-2032. Therefore, understanding the relationship between diabetes management and emissions is more crucial than ever.
The study examined two major scenarios: one focused on preventing the progression from pre-diabetes through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, and the other on managing existing type 2 diabetes effectively with medication. It turned out that avoiding the progression from pre-diabetes can lead to about six extra years of life compared to letting it worsen. Those who managed to stay pre-diabetic had far fewer health complications, particularly related to the kidneys and eyes. Interestingly, while cardiovascular issues were slightly more prevalent in this group due to aging, overall health outcomes were much better.
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, if pre-diabetes is managed well, emissions can be reduced by 67%, totaling 19,129 kg of CO2 over a lifetime, compared to those who develop diabetes. Notably, effective management of type 2 diabetes can add nearly two extra years of life while cutting emissions by 21%. The study attributes these savings mainly to fewer complications requiring treatment.
Researchers caution that their findings have limitations. There is a lack of comprehensive data on the emissions tied to various diabetes treatments and complications. They also couldn’t quantify the positive environmental impact that comes from healthier lifestyles among people with pre-diabetes. Yet, they maintain that the evidence is clear: effective prevention and management can save lives and lower healthcare-related emissions.
This study highlights an often-overlooked aspect of health management: the environmental impact. By making better choices around diet and exercise, we can not only improve our own health but also contribute to a more sustainable future.
For further details, you can access the full study [here](http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106299).
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Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Blood, Diet, Exercise, Eye, Eye Disease, Glucose, HbA1c, Healthcare, Research
