Researchers from the Glob3science Lab of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano propose a global model to optimise the use of agricultural and water resources, and suggest the EAT-Lancet universal reference diet, according to a study published in Nature Sustainability. The authors claim that it’s possible to feed the planet in a healthy way while reducing the use of land and water.
In simple terms, the EAT-Lancet diet is a dietary model that aims to improve human health and reduce the environmental impact of food production. It advocates that we should eat different foods of plant origin, such as whole grains, fruit, vegetables, legumes, and nuts, and a limited intake of food of animal origin. However, so far, it’s not clear how the food system could be reorganised to allow this diet on a global scale without compromising natural resources.
To answer this question, the team examined six different dietary scenarios combined with agro-hydrological studies regarding crops’ optimal use. The authors suggest that an improved trade flow could reduce the extent of global cropland by 37-40% and irrigation water use by 78% while still maintaining the EAT-Lancet diet’s nutritional requirements.
This model shows that adopting this diet worldwide would require an increase in international food trade, increasing exports from 25% to 36%. This would lead to a 4.5% increase in food costs but would bring significant environmental and nutritional benefits.
“This study shows that it is possible to ensure healthy and sustainable diets for everyone while also protecting the planet’s basic resources,” said Professor Maria Cristina Rulli. “Our research suggests that smart crop redistribution and better management of trade flow could lead to more efficient use of agricultural and water resources on a global scale. However, for all this to be implemented, we need both targeted policies that support a reorganisation of the food system – including financially, plus social acceptance and the desire to share. Then there are the co-creation processes involving local producers in relation to the redistribution of crops.”
Rulli, M.C., Sardo, M., Ricciardi, L. et al. Meeting the EAT-Lancet ‘healthy’ diet target while protecting land and water resources. Nat Sustain (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01457-w