Report on Food System Transformation and Sustainable Development Goals

New evidence presented by the EAT-Lancet Commission indicates that a fundamental transformation of global food systems is imperative to mitigate the most severe impacts of climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The commission’s findings underscore that without substantial changes, key global targets related to climate, health, and equality will not be met.

Health, Well-being, and Hunger (SDG 2 & SDG 3)

A global dietary shift towards a “planetary health diet” offers significant benefits for public health, directly aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The report outlines the following key outcomes:

• Mortality Reduction: An estimated 15 million premature deaths could be averted annually by reducing the prevalence of preventable non-communicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• Dietary Composition: The recommended diet is centered on grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, with daily consumption of animal protein and dairy limited to one serving each and red meat to approximately once per week.
• Addressing Malnutrition: The report highlights a critical challenge to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), concluding that nearly half the world’s population is denied adequate nutrition, necessitating a focus on equitable food access.

Climate Action and Environmental Integrity (SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15)

The report identifies food systems as the single largest driver pushing Earth beyond its planetary boundaries, making their reform essential for environmental sustainability goals.

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A worldwide dietary change alone could reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 15%. This figure could rise to 20% when combined with improved crop productivity and reductions in food waste, contributing directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
2. Biodiversity and Land Use: The current food system is the primary contributor to biodiversity loss, unsustainable land and water use, and agricultural pollution. Transforming the system is therefore critical for achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
3. Systemic Interdependence: Researchers conclude that even a successful transition to clean energy will be insufficient to avoid the worst effects of climate change if the food system remains on its current trajectory.

Justice, Equality, and Responsible Consumption (SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 12)

The commission emphasizes the need to incorporate justice and equity into the food system transformation to address widespread inequalities.

• Vulnerable Populations: The report notes that ethnic minorities, Indigenous peoples, women, and children face disproportionate risks to their human rights, access to food, and decent work within the food system, undermining SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Consumption Patterns: The call for dietary change is particularly directed at developed nations, whose consumption patterns disproportionately contribute to climate change. This aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Policy Recommendations: The report urges global leaders to integrate these scientific findings into national policies to build more resilient, stable, and equitable societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article addresses food security, stating that without a transition in food systems, “we will fail on food security.” It also highlights that “nearly half the world’s population is being denied adequate food,” directly connecting to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • This is a central theme. The article explicitly states that shifting to healthier, plant-based diets could avoid “about 15 million deaths” each year from preventable diseases like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The proposed “planetary health diet” is based on improving human health.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article discusses the justice dimension of the food system, noting that “Ethnic minorities, Indigenous peoples, women and children and people in conflict zones all face specific risks to their human rights and access to food.” This directly relates to reducing inequalities within and among countries.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article advocates for a major shift in consumption patterns, specifically recommending that people in developed nations reduce meat consumption. It mentions changing “consumption habits” and “reductions in food waste” as key improvements, which are core to this SDG.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The primary argument of the article is that “the worst effects of climate change can’t be avoided without a major transformation of food systems.” It quantifies the potential impact, stating that dietary changes could lead to a “15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.”
6. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article links food systems to planetary health beyond climate change, including “biodiversity, land use, water quality and agricultural pollution.” It states that food systems are the “biggest culprit in pushing Earth to the brink” and failing on the “biodiversity agenda,” which aligns with protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
   • The article’s call for a “major transformation of food systems” to avoid failing on climate, biodiversity, and food security agendas directly supports the need for sustainable and resilient food production.
2. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article directly addresses this target by stating that a shift to the “planetary health diet” could avert “15 million deaths” annually from preventable non-communicable diseases like “Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The article points out that the current food system denies adequate food and decent work to vulnerable groups, including “Ethnic minorities, Indigenous peoples, women and children,” highlighting the need for a more inclusive and just system.
4. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The proposed dietary shift, which involves reducing consumption of resource-intensive foods like red meat, is a strategy for more sustainable management of natural resources such as land and water.
5. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
   • The article explicitly mentions that “reductions in food waste” are part of the necessary improvements to the food system to increase its sustainability and reduce emissions.
6. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article urges leaders to “incorporate scientific perspectives about the food system into their national policies” to address climate change, directly aligning with this target.
7. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • The article states that without changes to the food system, “we will fail on the biodiversity agenda” and that food systems are a primary driver pushing the planet past its threshold for biodiversity, implying a direct link to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 3.4: Number of deaths averted from non-communicable diseases.
   • The article provides a specific metric: “About 15 million deaths could be avoided each year” by adopting healthier diets. This serves as a direct indicator of progress.
2. Indicator for Target 13.2: Percentage reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.
   • The article quantifies the potential impact of food system changes, stating that dietary shifts alone could cause a “15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,” which could increase to “20%” with other improvements like reducing food waste.
3. Indicator for Target 12.2: Per capita consumption of red meat.
   • The article implies this indicator by recommending a specific consumption level: limiting “red meat to about once a week.” Tracking the average consumption of red meat would measure progress toward this dietary goal.
4. Indicator for Target 2.4 / 15.5: Impact of food systems on planetary boundaries.
   • The article implies a composite indicator by mentioning that researchers looked at “biodiversity, land use, water quality and agricultural pollution” and concluded that food systems are the “biggest culprit in pushing Earth to the brink.” Measuring the food system’s footprint across these areas would serve as an indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: civilbeat.org