Planetary Health Diet Could Slash Early Deaths by 30%—But Costs Block Billions

A global shift to the Planetary Health Diet could cut early deaths by nearly a third. Known as the EAT-Lancet diet, it was designed to feed the world’s growing population sustainably. Yet over 1.58 billion people cannot afford its recommended foods, highlighting a major barrier to adoption. The diet focuses on plant-based meals, with small amounts of fish, eggs, and dairy. It avoids heavy reliance on red meat and processed foods, which are linked to both health risks and high emissions. Studies suggest that if widely adopted, this approach could lower global greenhouse gas emissions by 17%.

The impact would vary by country. In high-income nations like Australia and Qatar, dietary emissions could drop by over 60%. These regions currently face issues of overconsumption, making the benefits of the diet particularly significant. Meanwhile, low-income countries would need support to improve agricultural productivity and affordability. Food production accounts for roughly a third of all human-caused emissions. Animal products, especially red meat and dairy, are the biggest contributors. Policymakers could address this by reducing demand for high-emission foods in wealthy nations while boosting sustainable farming in poorer regions.

Adopting the Planetary Health Diet could extend lives and shrink the carbon footprint of food. The biggest gains would appear in countries where overconsumption is common. However, cost remains a major obstacle, leaving billions unable to access its benefits without targeted policies.