Summary
This narrative review examines the complex relationship between climate change, agri-food systems, and consumer dietary choices through a political economy framework. The authors find that whilst the healthiest diets exert the least environmental pressure and consumers show increasing inclination towards sustainable options, significant structural barriers—including price, low consumer acceptance, weak labelling standards, and inconsistent policy frameworks—inhibit widespread adoption. The paper concludes that whilst individual agency matters, effective governance integrating sustainability into dietary guidelines, education, public procurement reform, and economic incentives is essential to enabling the transition towards sustainable eating.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK food policy and practice, particularly regarding integration of sustainability into the Eatwell Guide and public sector food procurement reform. UK policymakers may find the review's emphasis on structural interventions and economic incentives relevant to achieving net-zero food system goals and improving population health outcomes.
Key measures
Narrative synthesis of evidence on sustainable dietary patterns, environmental impact of food systems, consumer motivations and barriers to sustainable food choice, and policy effectiveness
Outcomes reported
The review synthesises evidence on the interconnections between climate change and dietary patterns, examining barriers and enablers to consumer adoption of sustainable eating habits. It identifies policy and structural interventions needed to promote planetary health diets at global, national, and local levels.
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