Food systems play a crucial role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today, including chronic diseases, inequality, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy, Sustainable, and Just Food Systems highlights the urgent need for transformation in how we produce, distribute, and consume food.
Despite there being enough food calories produced globally, nearly 3.7 billion people lack access to a healthy diet, fair wages, and a clean environment. This inequity is exacerbated by the significant environmental impact of current food production practices, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and other planetary boundaries being breached.
The Commission advocates for adopting the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), a plant-rich dietary framework that, when combined with efforts to reduce food waste, implement sustainable agricultural practices, and halt the conversion of intact ecosystems, can improve public health, restore planetary health, and sustainably feed a growing global population.
By following the PHD, which emphasizes plant-based foods while allowing for moderate consumption of animal products, individuals can reduce their risk of chronic diseases and contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental pressures. The PHD is flexible and culturally inclusive, recognizing that dietary needs vary across populations and life stages.
Transforming global food systems requires a multi-faceted approach, including promoting healthy diets, advancing sustainable farming practices, protecting biodiversity, reducing food waste, ensuring fair wages and working conditions, empowering marginalized communities, and implementing social safety nets. Strong partnerships between public institutions, businesses, and civil society are essential for driving these changes.
Investing in reshaping food systems is not only a moral imperative but also makes economic sense. The report estimates that annual investments in transforming food systems could yield significant returns, including savings from avoided healthcare costs and increased productivity.
To achieve sustainable, healthy, and just food systems by 2050, the Commission proposes eight key solutions that prioritize health, environmental sustainability, and social equity. These solutions include shifting to healthy diets, protecting traditional diets, advancing sustainable farming practices, and empowering marginalized communities.
The road to food justice and sustainability requires collective action and commitment from all stakeholders. By implementing the recommendations of the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission, we can work towards a future where everyone has access to nutritious and delicious food in a way that supports the health of both people and the planet.
