Summary
The 2023 Lancet Countdown report synthesises evidence on the intersections between climate change, food systems, and human health, identifying irreversible harms already manifest and arguing for accelerated health-centred policy responses. As a major global assessment by a multidisciplinary consortium, it contextualises agricultural and food-system contributions to climate change alongside climate-driven threats to nutrition, food production, and public health. The report emphasises that mitigation and adaptation in food systems are essential components of health protection.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK policy and practice, particularly for the Food Security Report, health service climate preparedness strategies, and agricultural net-zero commitments. UK policymakers can use the evidence base to justify investment in sustainable food-system transitions and climate-resilient nutrition pathways.
Key measures
Climate-attributable health outcomes; food security indicators; agricultural yield impacts; greenhouse gas emissions from food systems; health adaptation metrics
Outcomes reported
The report assessed health harms attributable to climate change across multiple sectors including food security, nutrition, and agricultural productivity. It evaluated progress on health-centred climate mitigation and adaptation strategies globally.
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