A roadmap to nourish people and the planet
By 2050, every person could have access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food while reducing environmental harm. The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets From Sustainable Food Systems presents a “planetary health diet” as the solution.
The report finds that combining this diet with sustainable agriculture and reduced food waste could feed 9.6 billion people fairly. 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 emissions come from food production, processing, and transport, while the rest comes mostly from fossil fuels and forest clearing for farmland.
What the planetary health diet includes
The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. It allows moderate consumption of meat and dairy while limiting added sugar, salt, and saturated fat. “This diet benefits both people and the planet,” said Dr. Walter Willett of 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 a 4-ounce serving per week. “It’s balanced, flexible, and similar to the Mediterranean diet,” Willett said.
Beyond individual eating habits
Johan Rockström, co-chair of the commission and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said that diet alone cannot solve the problem. “We must also reduce food waste and adopt sustainable land, water, and ecosystem management,” he said. “Healthy food must be affordable and accessible for all.”
Industry opposition and misinformation
The 2019 EAT-Lancet report estimated that adopting the planetary health diet worldwide could prevent 11.6 million premature deaths annually. The 2025 update raises the estimate to 15 million. In the U.S., about 31% of premature adult deaths could be avoided.
Transforming the food system could save $5 trillion a year by reducing health costs, restoring ecosystems, and slowing climate change. The required investment — $200 to $500 billion — is small compared to the potential benefits.
Opposition has emerged, especially from meat and dairy industries. Social media campaigns like #YestoMeat spread misinformation in 2019, and similar tactics have returned. “Some groups promote meat-heavy diets while downplaying livestock’s climate impact,” Willett said. “Our report relies on independent global science.”
The consequences of inaction
If current practices continue, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture could rise by 33% by 2050. Nearly 70% of ecosystems have already lost over half of their natural areas, mainly to farming.
Following 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%. Food prices could drop about 3%.
Creating a fair and sustainable global food system
Christina Hicks of Lancaster University said the wealthiest 30% of people cause over 70% of food-related environmental harm. Fewer than 1% currently meet their food needs without damaging ecosystems.
The commission recommends shifting subsidies from meat and dairy to sustainable crops like fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Governments could also tax foods high in sugar, salt, or saturated fats while improving purchasing power to make healthy diets affordable.
Willett added that many traditional plant-based diets already follow planetary health principles. “We are not prescribing one global diet,” he said. “This approach respects cultural diversity and allows every region to eat healthily while protecting the planet.”
