A plant-rich “planetary health diet” (PHD) could prevent an estimated 40,000 early deaths every day worldwide, according to a landmark report published in The Lancet. The report, produced by 70 leading experts across 35 countries, also warns that widespread adoption of the diet could cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2050, a critical step in tackling the climate crisis.
- Global Dietary Imbalances
- Policy Recommendations to Support the Planetary Health Diet
- Health and Environmental Benefits
- Key Recommendations of the Planetary Health Diet
- Customizable Diets for Local Contexts
- Supporting Behavioral and Systemic Changes
- Beyond Diet: Transforming the Food System
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Today, about one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from the food system. Researchers emphasize that stabilizing the climate is impossible without transforming how the world eats. Beyond emissions, food production is the largest driver of wildlife loss, deforestation, and water pollution.
The planetary health diet offers a comprehensive solution, aiming to improve human health, preserve the planet, and feed the projected global population of 9.6 billion by 2050. Flexible and adaptable to regional and cultural preferences, the diet can include moderate amounts of animal products or follow vegetarian or vegan patterns. Across all versions, the focus remains on increasing vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, which most populations currently underconsume.
Global Dietary Imbalances
Current diets are often both unhealthy and environmentally unsustainable. In high-income regions such as the United States and Canada, red meat consumption exceeds the PHD recommendation by more than seven times, while Europe and Latin America exceed it by five times, and China by four times. Conversely, in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, diets rely heavily on starchy staples, and a modest increase in chicken, dairy, and eggs could improve health outcomes.
The report also highlights inequalities in the global food system. The wealthiest 30% of the population are responsible for over 70% of food-related environmental damage. Meanwhile, 2.8 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, and 1 billion remain undernourished, despite sufficient global food production. Obesity, affecting another billion people, further illustrates the system’s failure.
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Policy Recommendations to Support the Planetary Health Diet
To achieve widespread adoption, the report recommends a series of policy interventions:
- Tax unhealthy foods while subsidizing nutritious, sustainable options.
- Regulate advertising of unhealthy foods and implement warning labels.
- Redirect agricultural subsidies toward foods that are both healthy and environmentally sustainable.
Prof. Johan Rockström, co-chair of the EAT-Lancet Commission, emphasized the transformative potential: “What we put on our plates can save millions of lives, reduce billions of tonnes of emissions, halt biodiversity loss, and create a fairer food system. Transforming food systems is not just possible—it is essential for a sustainable future.”
Prof. Walter Willett of Harvard Chan School of Public Health added: “This is not a deprivation diet. It can be delicious, aspirational, and healthy while accommodating cultural diversity and individual preferences.”
Health and Environmental Benefits
The PHD has been rigorously tested against a wide range of health outcomes, including total mortality, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions. Global adoption could prevent an estimated 15 million early deaths annually in adults, though this figure likely underestimates the benefits, as it does not fully account for reductions in obesity.
From an environmental perspective, the diet could halve food-related emissions by 2050, while also reducing pressure on biodiversity, water systems, and land resources. The diet’s plant-based focus makes it far more sustainable than current average diets, which rely heavily on meat, dairy, sugar, and saturated fats.
Key Recommendations of the Planetary Health Diet
The PHD provides clear guidance on daily and weekly consumption:
- Fruits and vegetables: At least five portions per day
- Whole grains: Three to four portions per day
- Nuts: One portion per day
- Legumes (beans, peas, lentils): One portion per day
- Dairy: One serving per day
- Eggs: Three to four per week
- Chicken: Two portions per week
- Fish: Two portions per week
- Red meat: One portion per week
Dr. Marco Springmann of University College London, an author of the report, explained the regional differences: “In low-income countries, reductions are needed mainly in starchy foods, whereas in high-income countries, overconsumption of animal-sourced foods, sugar, saturated fats, and dairy must be addressed. It’s astonishing how much dairy is consumed in Europe and North America.”
Customizable Diets for Local Contexts
The report’s data are publicly available, allowing policymakers and individuals to tailor planetary health diets to local tastes, cultural norms, and nutritional needs. The online resources also demonstrate how adopting the diet can reduce deaths, improve nutrition, and lower environmental impact, potentially informing science-based policies worldwide.
The PHD is also nutrient-rich, providing ample fiber, fatty acids, folate, magnesium, and zinc. While iron and vitamin B12 require attention in plant-based versions, they can be sourced from green leafy vegetables, fermented soy foods, and algae.
Supporting Behavioral and Systemic Changes
Achieving global adoption requires both consumer behavior shifts and systemic policy changes. Prof. Line Gordon, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, emphasized: “It’s not just about making healthy foods cheaper. It’s about increasing purchasing power so everyone can afford a healthier diet.” Examples include school meal programs, regenerative agriculture, and initiatives to reduce food waste. England recently banned price promotions on unhealthy foods and will restrict online advertising, illustrating real-world steps in the right direction.
The report estimates food-related ill health and environmental damage costs society around $15 trillion annually, while investments of $200–500 billion per year to transform the system could save $5 trillion, offering both public health and economic benefits.
Beyond Diet: Transforming the Food System
The commission stresses that dietary change alone is insufficient. Other necessary actions include:
- Reducing food loss and waste
- Adopting greener farming practices
- Ensuring fair wages and working conditions for food workers
Prof. Rockström acknowledged opposition from vested interests: “The new report is a landmark achievement, providing a rigorous scientific foundation for healthy diets and environmental boundaries. We are prepared to meet resistance from industries that may oppose these changes.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Planetary Health Diet (PHD)?
The PHD is a flexible, plant-rich diet designed to improve human health, reduce environmental impact, and feed a growing global population sustainably.
How many lives could it save?
Global adoption of the PHD could prevent approximately 40,000 early deaths per day by reducing diet-related illnesses.
Does it allow meat and animal products?
Yes. The diet permits moderate amounts of meat, dairy, eggs, and fish, but emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
How does the diet benefit the environment?
Following the PHD could halve food-related greenhouse gas emissions, slow biodiversity loss, reduce deforestation, and cut water pollution.
Can it be adapted to local cultures?
Absolutely. The PHD is flexible and can be tailored to regional tastes, cultural preferences, and nutritional needs.
What are the recommended portions?
Daily recommendations include 5+ portions of fruits and vegetables, 3–4 of whole grains, 1 of nuts and legumes, plus limited meat, dairy, eggs, and fish.
How can governments support adoption?
Policies like subsidizing healthy foods, taxing unhealthy options, regulating food advertising, and reducing food waste can encourage widespread adoption.
Conclusion
The Planetary Health Diet offers a scientifically grounded roadmap to simultaneously improve global health, reduce environmental damage, and feed a growing population sustainably. By emphasizing plant-rich foods, allowing moderate animal products, and adapting to local cultures, the diet can prevent millions of premature deaths, halve food-related emissions, and protect biodiversity.
