Eco-Friendly Diet Could Prevent 15 Million Premature Deaths Annually

Planetary Health Diet: A Comprehensive Approach to Global Health

The EAT-Lancet Commission, a collaboration of 50 multidisciplinary scientists associated with the renowned journal The Lancet, aims for a world where “healthy people thrive on a healthy planet with equitable food systems.” Their initiative led to the creation of the Planetary Health Diet (PHD) in 2019, aimed at addressing both environmental impacts and nutritional deficiencies prevalent in contemporary diets.

Recent Findings and Health Implications

Six years post-launch, the commission has revised its stance based on new scientific evidence, revealing that global adoption of the PHD could prevent 15 million premature deaths annually—accounting for 27% of such fatalities—by mitigating food-related illnesses.

Recognizing a consistent global deficiency, the report highlights a lack of adequate fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains across various regions. There is also noted excessive intake of meat, dairy, processed foods, and sugars.

Walter C. Willett, co-chair of the EAT-Lancet Commission and professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, emphasizes that the PHD aligns closely with the Mediterranean diet and various traditional diets worldwide.

Overview of the Planetary Health Diet

The PHD promotes a diverse range of whole or minimally processed foods, focusing primarily on plant-based sources. Recommended fats are predominantly unsaturated, and the plan suggests limiting added sugars and salt. This flexible diet caters to various cultural food practices while advocating reduced animal protein consumption, different from conventional diets in developed nations.

On average, the PHD recommends a daily caloric intake of 2,373 kilocalories, emphasizing a plant-forward approach but still permitting animal proteins such as eggs, dairy, meat, and fish. The commission also provides vegetarian, vegan, and pescetarian variations to accommodate different dietary preferences.

Willett notes, “We're not talking about a deprivation diet. It can be delicious.” He simplifies adherence to the diet with the concept of “one plus one,” suggesting one serving of dairy and one serving of animal protein each day, while limiting red meat to once weekly.

Environmental and Health Benefits

The EAT-Lancet report suggests that embracing the PHD, alongside robust climate action policies, could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use. The diet aims to optimize human health by decreasing the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular issues, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Moreover, the commission emphasizes the diet's potential to lessen the environmental burden caused by current food systems. Food production is responsible for roughly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and failure to change these practices could accelerate global warming beyond the critical 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, even if fossil fuel use is curtailed.

Addressing Planetary Boundaries

In their 2025 report, the authors analyze how food systems contribute to exceeding essential planetary boundaries—nine crucial Earth processes necessary for maintaining habitability. Currently, seven of these boundaries have been exceeded, with food being a major contributor to breaches in five: climate change, biodiversity loss, land use change, nutrient flows, and freshwater usage.

“Food is the main cause of planetary boundary violations,” stresses Johan Rockström, co-chair of the EAT-Lancet Commission and director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). A fundamental transformation in food systems is deemed essential, which includes adopting the PHD and implementing practices to reduce food waste and enhance sustainable water use.

Line Gordon, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, highlights that effective strategies include revising fiscal policies to eliminate subsidies that harm agricultural and livestock practices, as well as enforcing stricter regulations on food labeling targeting children.

Socio-Economic Considerations

Despite only 1% of the population enjoying a safe and just environment, the environmental impact of food consumption is unevenly distributed. The commission points out that the diets of the wealthiest 30% contribute more than 70% of the environmental pressures stemming from food systems, underscoring significant inequalities in the benefits and detriments of current practices.

Anticipating Challenges

During a press conference leading up to the report's release, the EAT-Lancet team expressed their readiness for potential backlash. The previous launch of the Planetary Health Diet faced significant criticism, particularly from the beef and dairy industries. Willett noted, “There was an orchestrated attack last time, and there will be one this time as well.” Despite this, the commission stands firm on their findings backed by extensive scientific research.