By Abdullahi Lukman
A new EAT-Lancet study has revealed that less than one percent of the global population lives in a “safe and just space” where food needs, human rights, and environmental limits are all met, highlighting urgent concerns over the state of global food systems.
Released by The Lancet Group, the 2025 report warns that current food systems are exceeding key planetary boundaries and contributing around 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
These systems are accelerating the breakdown of five critical Earth systems: climate stability, biodiversity, land use, nutrient cycles, and pollution from harmful substances such as pesticides, antimicrobials, and microplastics.
The study points to vast inequality in environmental impact, noting that the wealthiest 30 per cent of the global population account for over 70 per cent of food-related ecological damage.
It recommends a global shift to healthier and more sustainable eating patterns, such as the Planetary Health Diet, which could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths annually while significantly reducing environmental harm.
Currently, most global diets fall short in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, while overconsuming meat, dairy, sugar, and ultra-processed foods.
Johan Rockström, co-chair of the EAT-Lancet Commission and Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the report offers “clear guidance” on how to nourish a growing population without crossing Earth’s ecological thresholds.
Shakuntala Thilsted, co-chair and Director at CGIAR, emphasized the need for food system reform to also protect workers, noting that many are underpaid and lack basic labor protections.
The report outlines eight urgent priority actions, including promoting traditional diets, reducing food waste, halting ecosystem destruction, ensuring fair labor conditions, and supporting sustainable farming.
It estimates that these reforms could deliver up to $5 trillion in annual benefits—through better health, resilient ecosystems, and climate stability—compared to the $200–500 billion required for transformation.
The Commission calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to realign food production, consumption, and financing to meet both human and planetary health goals.
Without urgent action, the world risks missing climate targets, worsening malnutrition, and deepening inequality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
