Transitioning to a could prevent 15 million premature deaths each year while also reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.
This is the assertion made by the authors of the EAT-Lancet Commission’s 2025 report on the global food system. The report presents findings from a comprehensive study conducted by leading , climatologists, economists, doctors, sociologists, and agronomists from 35 countries. This large team of experts assessed the impact of the food system on human health and the environment.
What’s Wrong with the World’s Diet?
Researchers concluded that food production threatens five Earth systems that must be kept in balance for humanity’s survival. These include climate, soil, water, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
“If everyone ate healthy food, by 2050 we could feed 10 billion people using 7 percent less land than we do now,” said Fabrice DeClerk, chief scientist at EAT and co-author of the study, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.
The team calculated that 6.9 billion people consume excessive amounts of food, including , , dairy, and ultra-processed products. Meanwhile, 3.7 billion people struggle to access healthy food.
The Planetary Health Diet
Experts recommend following the so-called Planetary (PHD) – a diet that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. The PHD suggests that half of your plate should consist of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, while 30 percent should be whole grains. The remaining portion should come from protein sources, primarily legumes. In this diet, meat, fish, and dairy are not the main components. Proponents believe that consuming 200 grams of beef per week is sufficient. Experts assert that this diet improves health and helps reduce human impact on the environment.
However, as DeClerk added, diets should always be tailored to individuals, encouraging people to adapt them to their culture and preferences, since “traditional diets often best reflect a healthy lifestyle.”
Where Does That 1% of “Healthy” Eaters Live?
Scientists did not specify where to find that one percent of the population that eats healthily. However, according to DeClerk, these individuals reside in developed countries with decent salaries and access to healthy food.
The expert claims that the challenge for middle-income countries is to avoid a complete shift to a Western diet while preserving their own culinary traditions.
Professor Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and co-author of the report, stated: “The evidence is undeniable: transforming the food system is not only possible but necessary to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for all.”
The experts behind the report sadly noted that the wealthiest 30 percent of the planet of the negative environmental impact associated with food products.
“Those who consume excessively and unhealthily limit the rights of others to a safe environment,” emphasized DeClerk.
The authors of the report urged those in positions of power to take urgent action to transform the global food system for the health of people and a cleaner environment.
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