A roadmap for global food security
By 2050, every person on Earth could eat nutritious, culturally appropriate food while safeguarding the planet. The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets From Sustainable Food Systems outlines how a “planetary health diet” could make this possible.
The report finds that combining this diet with sustainable farming and reduced food waste could feed 9.6 billion people equitably. Experts from more than 35 countries contributed, showing that global food-related greenhouse gas emissions could fall by more than half if nations act together.
Currently, about 30% of global emissions come from producing, processing, and transporting food. The rest largely comes from fossil fuels and clearing forests for farmland.
Components of the planetary health diet
The planetary health diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. It allows moderate meat and dairy while limiting added sugar, salt, and saturated fats. “This diet protects both human health and the planet,” said Dr. Walter Willett from Harvard University.
He recommends one daily serving of dairy and one serving of animal protein, such as fish, poultry, or eggs. Red meat, including beef and pork, should be limited to one 4-ounce serving per week. “It’s balanced and flexible,” Willett said. “It resembles the Mediterranean diet.”
Beyond changing eating habits
Johan Rockström, co-chair of the commission and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said that shifting diets alone is not enough. “We must also reduce food waste and adopt sustainable land, water, and nutrient management,” he explained. “Healthy food must be affordable and accessible to everyone.”
Pushback from industry
The 2019 EAT-Lancet report estimated that a global shift to the planetary health diet could prevent 11.6 million premature deaths each year. The updated 2025 report now projects 15 million lives saved annually. In the U.S., roughly 31% of premature adult deaths could be avoided.
Transforming the food system could save $5 trillion annually by lowering health costs, restoring ecosystems, and slowing climate change. The required investment of $200–500 billion is small compared to the potential benefits.
However, the report has faced opposition. Campaigns like #YestoMeat spread misinformation in 2019, and Willett said similar resistance is returning. “Some groups promote meat-heavy diets while downplaying livestock’s climate impact,” he said. “This report relies on independent, global scientific evidence.”
Consequences of inaction
If current trends continue, emissions from agriculture could rise by 33% by 2050. Nearly 70% of ecosystems have lost more than half of their natural areas, mostly to farming.
The planetary health diet could cut emissions by 60% compared with 2020 levels. Cattle numbers would fall by 26%, freeing 11% of grazing land. “This could prevent further deforestation in the Amazon,” Willett said.
Aquatic food production could increase by 46%, vegetables by 42%, fruits by 61%, nuts by 172%, and legumes by 187%. Global food prices could drop about 3%.
Building a sustainable and fair food system
Christina Hicks of Lancaster University said the wealthiest 30% of people cause over 70% of all food-related environmental harm. Fewer than 1% of people meet their food needs without damaging ecosystems.
The commission recommends redirecting subsidies from meat and dairy to sustainable crops such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Governments could also tax foods high in sugar, salt, or saturated fats, while increasing purchasing power to make healthy food affordable.
Willett noted that traditional plant-based diets already align with planetary health principles. “We are not prescribing a single global diet,” he said. “This approach respects cultural diversity and allows every region to eat well while protecting the planet.”
