The EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems

Summary

This EAT–Lancet Commission report, published in The Lancet in 2025, represents a major update to the landmark 2019 Commission, reassessing the evidence base for healthy and environmentally sustainable diets within planetary boundaries. It is likely to refine dietary targets for food groups such as red meat, plant proteins, and dairy, whilst integrating considerations of food justice, equity, and access for the first time as a central pillar alongside health and sustainability. The report provides a high-level framework intended to guide national governments, food system actors, and international bodies in transitioning towards diets that are simultaneously health-promoting, ecologically sound, and socially just.

UK applicability

Although the report is global in scope, its dietary reference ranges and food system transformation recommendations are directly applicable to UK food and nutrition policy, including the National Food Strategy and net-zero agricultural commitments; UK policymakers and health agencies are likely to draw on its targets when updating dietary guidelines and public procurement standards.

Key measures

Dietary reference intakes (g/day per food group); planetary boundary metrics (greenhouse gas emissions, land use, freshwater use, biodiversity loss); health outcome projections; equity and access indicators

Outcomes reported

The Commission reports updated planetary health diet targets and food system transformation pathways, examining the intersection of human health, environmental sustainability, and food justice at a global scale. It likely quantifies dietary reference ranges for major food groups alongside planetary boundaries for food production.

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