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Research Feature: The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems
22 October 2025
The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission report (1) was released this month providing the latest evaluation on healthy diets and sustainable food systems that respect both human health and the planet. It updates its previous 2019 edition.
Background
The original 2019 report was considered timely, bold, and necessary by many health and environmental non-profit organisations and scientific communities. It was praised for its framing of the planetary health diet (PHD) combining nutrition health and environmental sustainability. Some saw it as filling a gap showing what a global reference diet could be in setting targets for reducing environmental pressure from food production. However, various criticisms emerged from different angles. Some stakeholders argued the proposed diet was too generic/universal, not sufficiently adapted to local diets, food cultures, access issues, and traditions. Some researchers questioned whether epidemiological evidence (on diet-health links) was strong enough to support certain specific targets (e.g. exactly how much meat, how much red meat, etc.) for all populations. Other groups expressed concern that the proposals lacked sufficient attention to social justice: who bears the cost of transition, who gets access, workers’ rights, etc. And some parts of the food industry stated that the recommendations were overly negative toward animal proteins, oversimplified, difficult to sustain, and unrealistic.
Now
Fast forward to 2025 and the new edition. It includes updates to the planetary health diet, new ways to measure how food systems affect the environment, an in-depth look at issues of food justice, and findings from recent research and modelling. While some past criticisms can still be applied, there has been some shifts. Stakeholder reactions reflect both acknowledgement of what has improved, and concerns about what remains difficult.
The 2025 report has expanded its scope: not just health + environment + sustainability, but more explicitly justice, equity, and social foundations. It includes a stronger evidence base, more detailed modelling, updated data, more real‐world attention to barriers like cost, access, political resistance.
There has been early praise for the framing of the problem in terms of planetary boundaries, more forceful claims about food systems being major contributors to climate change, biodiversity loss etc. Some industry groups (e.g. marine stewardship for seafood) have welcomed some aspects, particularly where the report recognises roles for sustainable fish/seafood, or the production side improvements.
However, there are still concerns regarding cost for healthy and sustainable diets – how to make them accessible, affordable, and culturally acceptable. These issues are still alive though often reframed in light of newer models/data. Other points of view note that scientific evidence alone is not enough. Implementation depends on political will, policy incentives, trade-offs, and resistance from ‘vested’ [industry] interests.
Regardless of where one stands on its recommendations, the EAT-Lancet Commission offers a valuable lens through which to understand the intersecting concerns of climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. Engaging with its findings provides not only scientific insight but also a clearer picture of the scale and urgency of the challenge. Reading the report – even critically – is an important step toward informed dialogue and collective action on the future of food systems.
Relevance to our sector
The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission provides an evidence-based framework that is likely to influence both public and private sector food policies in the coming decade. By linking human and planetary health with issues of equity and justice, it establishes clearer expectations for governments to integrate nutrition, climate, and sustainability goals into policy and regulation. Around the world, national dietary guidelines are increasingly incorporating principles of both nutrition and environmental sustainability, reflecting a shift toward more integrated policy approaches. This is evident with the current review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines in which sustainability and level of processing are being considered. For companies, the report signals growing pressure to align product portfolios, sourcing, and marketing with health and environmental objectives. Even if not adopted wholesale, its influence is likely to shape future standards, investment priorities, and consumer expectations across the global food system.
Reference
- Rockström, Johan et al. The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems. The Lancet, Volume 406, Issue 10512, 1625 – 1700. The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems – The Lancet
