Planetary Health Diet Could Feed 9.6 Billion by 2050 While Cutting Emissions, Report Finds

A new analysis from the EAT-Lancet Commission says the world could feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050 with nutritious and culturally appropriate food — while significantly reducing environmental harm — if countries adopt a so-called “planetary health diet.”

The updated 2025 report recommends diets centered on fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains, with modest amounts of dairy, fish, poultry, and eggs, and limited red meat. Experts say this approach could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from food systems by more than 50 percent and help prevent up to 15 million premature deaths each year by lowering risks for chronic illnesses.

Commission co-chair Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University compared the guidelines to the Mediterranean diet, explaining it is not about deprivation but balance: “Dairy once a day, red meat once a week, and poultry, eggs, or fish a couple of times per week.”

Beyond diet, the commission stresses the importance of reducing food waste, shifting subsidies from meat and dairy to plant-based foods, and supporting sustainable land and water practices. Modeling suggests such a transformation could stabilize food prices, expand production of vegetables and legumes, and reduce deforestation driven by cattle and feed production.

Still, the recommendations face pushback from the livestock industry and groups opposing climate-focused food reforms. The commission warns that disinformation campaigns, such as the “#YestoMeat” movement that targeted its 2019 report, are already resurfacing.

If successful, the shift to a planetary health diet could reduce global cattle numbers by 26 percent, expand aquatic food and produce markets, and save an estimated $5 trillion annually in ecosystem restoration, health care, and climate-related costs.

“The planetary health diet allows for major diversity and is very much aligned with traditional diets across the world,” Willett said. “Some may need tweaks, but it’s very doable.”

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.