A new "diet"—although it would be more correct to call it a nutritional model—that includes among its objectives, in addition to improving human health, also protecting the environment: this is the Planetary Health Diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission. The global crisis linked to climate change and biodiversity loss is increasingly evident, and the solutions to address it cannot ignore a radical change in the way we consume food.
As highlighted by the EAT-Lancet Commission, our food system is responsible for approximately 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure that reflects not only its environmental impact but also growing social inequalities. Food, therefore, becomes a symbol of equity and sustainability, an opportunity to improve collective health and reduce inequalities, if managed properly.
A Global Vision of Nutrition
The Planetary Health Diet (PHD), proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, represents a new dietary approach that not only aims to improve human health but also to reduce the environmental impact of food production and consumption. The updated version of the diet emphasizes flexibility, adapting to different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. It eschews the idea of a universal dietary model, but rather offers a guide to be customized based on local circumstances.
The PHD model primarily advocates the consumption of fresh, minimally processed plant-based foods, such as legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, supplemented with a moderate amount of animal products. The report highlights how a global transition to a more plant-based diet could lead to significant benefits in terms of public health and emissions reductions. A tangible example is the estimate that such a global adoption, combined with targeted climate policies, could reduce food emissions from 7.35 to 2.75 gigatonnes of CO2, while freeing up 7% of agricultural land for reforestation and biodiversity protection.
A Difficult Balance Between Health, Equity and Sustainability
The PHD not only addresses the ecological and health dimensions of the food issue, but also places a strong emphasis on social justice. According to the report, global adoption of the diet could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths each year, reducing the incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. However, the effectiveness of this change depends on one key aspect: food justice.
Today, in fact, approximately 3.7 billion people worldwide lack access to a healthy diet or a living wage, living in unhealthy environments. Inequalities are evident, with the richest 30% of the world's population generating 70% of the food-related environmental impact. Furthermore, a healthy diet remains unaffordable for 2.8 billion people, even in affordable versions.
Working conditions in the food industry, which employs millions of people, are often inadequate and wages too low to ensure a decent living. Therefore, the PHD cannot be considered a simple food guide but must necessarily be integrated with global policies that promote universal access to healthy foods and a fair distribution of resources.
The Difficulty of Global Transition
Despite the clear benefits, the global adoption of PHD is not without criticism and challenges. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) withdrew its endorsement of the EAT-Lancet diet, raising concerns that an overly rigid dietary transition could threaten the livelihoods of many traditional communities, particularly those dependent on agricultural practices that rely heavily on meat and other animal products.
Furthermore, it has emerged that the meat industry may have orchestrated a disinformation campaign against the EAT-Lancet report. Leaked documents suggest that a public relations firm coordinated online attacks to discredit the study, calling it "radical," "out of touch with reality," and "hypocritical." This campaign had a significant impact on public opinion and influenced the WHO's decision to withdraw its support.
The Commission's update, however, has taken these concerns into account, placing flexibility, adaptability to local food traditions, and respect for the rights of workers in the supply chain at the heart of the proposal. It's not about imposing a uniform model, but about promoting a transformation that recognizes cultural diversity and local needs, while avoiding exacerbating existing inequalities.
Towards a Sustainable and Fair Food Future
In a world increasingly marked by the climate crisis and global inequality, nutrition represents one of the most urgent and complex challenges. The Planetary Health Diet is not just a proposal for changing our diet, but a true vision of social and ecological justice. To achieve it, a global commitment is needed that integrates public health, environmental sustainability, and social equity, ensuring access to healthy foods for all, so that food transformation does not generate new divisions, but becomes an opportunity for development for future generations.
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