Global Food Systems Transformation for Planetary Health

Food is a staple for our wellbeing. Beyond what fills our bellies, food is also a matter of access, health, environment, culture, and justice. In light of the current polycrisis, how can we transform global food systems as a means to address the crises?

Food Systems & Planetary Health

Food systems consist of intricate webs of multiple factors. They encompass how food is sourced, produced, and distributed until it reaches our plate. Moreover, it is a matter of how food waste is managed as well. This complex system stands at the center of food security, human health, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Global food demand has soared following the global population growth. At the same time, the food systems take a significant toll on the planet’s health.

A report by the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission finds that food systems are a major driver of five planetary boundary transgressions, signifying activities that cross the safe limits for the Earth. This includes land system change, biosphere integrity, freshwater change, biogeochemical flows, and approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change. Breaching these boundaries means creating higher risks of destabilization of the life support system on Earth, which could manifest in far-reaching environmental damage in the future.

Enabling Transformations

Addressing climate and biodiversity crises requires a global food systems transformation at the center of the efforts. 

Among the recommendations provided in the EAT-Lancet Commission’s report is the adoption of a planetary health diet (PHD). PHD  refers to a diet pattern that is predominantly plant-based, with moderate amounts of animal-sourced foods and minimal added sugars, saturated fats, and salt. This pattern allows flexibility and is compatible with many contexts and preferences. The report estimates that the adoption of the PHD can address around 10 million preventable deaths annually among adults, representing 17% of total mortality.

In addition to healthy diets, improving agricultural productivity and reducing food loss and waste are also key actions to food systems transformation. The key to this transformation is not to act in silo. It is crucial to ensure collective progress in each aspect to substantially reduce environmental pressures on climate, biodiversity, water, and pollution.

Upholding Social Foundations

Aside from the factors above, unlocking these transformations also hinges on justice. The report highlights that the richest 30% of the global population contribute to over 70% of the environmental pressures from food systems. The gaping inequalities in distribution, impacts, and burdens underscore the need to uphold justice at the center of the transformation.

Upholding justice means enabling access to and affordability of healthy diets. Equally crucial is ensuring the right to live and work in a safe and fair environment, with sufficient protection from risks and hazards. This must also go hand in hand with a fair living wage and supporting infrastructure that allows people to actively participate in building healthy lives.

Ultimately, transforming global food systems to prevent further damage to planetary health includes multiple intertwined factors that necessitate efforts and participation from all parties. Identifying actions, developing national and regional implementation roadmaps, unlocking financing, and executing plans into actions requires strong commitment and collaboration from governments, businesses, and civil society to achieve healthy, sustainable, and just food systems for all.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma