EAT-Lancet report: Global food systems transformation could save 15 million lives

Global food systems transformation could prevent 15 million premature deaths every year, according to the new EAT-Lancet Commission report released today.

The report, described as the most comprehensive scientific assessment of global food systems to date, warns that without urgent change, diets and production methods will continue to fuel climate breakdown, deepen inequality and cause millions of avoidable deaths.

It also sets out clear scientific guardrails for how nearly 10 billion people can be fed nutritiously and equitably within environmental limits by 2050.

Johan Rockström, Commission Co-Chair and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said:

The report sets out the clearest guidance yet for feeding a growing population without breaching the safe operating space on Earth set by the planetary boundaries. It shows that what we put on our plates can save millions of lives, cut billions of tonnes of emissions, halt the loss of biodiversity, and create a fairer food system.”

Food systems breaching planetary limits

The Commission, comprising leading experts from more than 35 countries across six continents, concludes that food systems are the largest contributor to the transgression of five planetary boundaries, including biodiversity loss, land use change, freshwater use, nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, and novel entities such as pesticides and microplastics. They also account for about 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists identify nine planetary boundaries as essential for regulating life on Earth. Six of these have already been crossed, among them climate, biodiversity and freshwater use. The report warned that even if the world were to fully decarbonise energy, food alone could still push global temperatures beyond 1.5°C.

Inequality and inequity

The report also highlighted deep imbalances across food systems. More than one billion people remain undernourished despite sufficient calories being available globally. At the same time, the wealthiest 30 percent of people are responsible for more than 70 percent of food-related environmental impacts.

Fewer than one percent of the global population live in what the Commission calls the “safe and just space” where nutritional needs and human rights are met without exceeding ecological limits. Almost a third of food system workers earn below a living wage, leaving millions without protections while producing the food that sustains the world.

Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Commission Co-Chair and Director for Nutrition, Health and Food Security at CGIAR, commented:

Food is at the heart of both human well-being and planetary health. Right now, too many people who grow and process our food are underpaid and excluded from basic protections, while the environmental and health costs fall hardest on the most vulnerable. Transformation must guarantee the right to food, fair work, and a healthy environment for all.”

The economic case for change

Despite the challenges, the Commission pointed to significant opportunities. Reshaping global food systems could halve emissions and generate economic returns of $5 trillion each year through improved health, restored ecosystems and climate resilience. This would require an investment of $200 to $500 billion, less than one tenth of the expected returns.

The report also noted the importance of tackling food waste, reforming subsidies, and improving working conditions. These measures could help to reduce inequality, strengthen nutrition and build resilience across supply chains.

Planetary Health Diet

Central to the recommendations is the Planetary Health Diet, first introduced by the Commission in 2019 and now supported by stronger evidence. The diet is flexible, plant-rich and designed to provide nutritional adequacy while reducing environmental impact. It emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, while keeping red meat, dairy, added sugar and saturated fats at modest levels.

Walter Willett, Commission Co-Chair and Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, added:

The Commission’s findings reinforce that the Planetary Health Diet is good for both people and the planet. By increasing the production and consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, we can improve health outcomes everywhere while respecting cultural and regional traditions. But diets are just one part of the picture, and transformation requires action across the whole system.”

Eight solutions for transformation

The EAT-Lancet report set out eight priorities for governments, businesses and civil society to act on:

• Protect and promote traditional healthy diets
• Create accessible and affordable food environments that increase demand for healthy diets
• Implement sustainable production practices that store carbon, create habitat, and improve water quality and availability
• Halt agricultural conversion of intact ecosystems
• Reduce food loss and waste
• Secure decent working conditions across the food system
• Ensure meaningful voice and representation for food systems workers
• Recognise and protect marginalised groups

Each is supported by practical measures such as integrating traditional foods into dietary guidelines, supporting local seed systems, investing in agroecological practices and reforming subsidies to make nutritious foods more affordable. The Commission also called for stronger regulation and advocacy to guarantee worker protections.

Industry implications

For food producers, manufacturers and retailers, the findings represent both a warning and a roadmap. The Commission stressed that dietary shifts, fairer supply chains and sustainable production practices are no longer optional if the sector is to avoid intensifying climate and social risks.

Rockström concluded:

We now have robust global guardrails for food systems, and a reference point that policymakers, businesses, and citizens can act on together. The evidence is undeniable: transforming food systems is not only possible, it is essential to securing a safe, just, and sustainable future for all.”

With the global population expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the EAT-Lancet Commission underlined that food is now one of the most powerful levers for improving health, cutting emissions and ensuring justice for people and the planet.