Healthy Sustainable Food System & Global Governance to Accelerate Change
- Laura Bervian
- 10 de abr.
- 3 min de leitura
Food systems are at the core of many global health challenges. According to the EAT-Lancet Commission , food is “the single strongest lever to optimize human health and environmental sustainability on Earth”. This reveals the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, and demonstrate how unsustainable practices are risking human and planetary well-being.
Food Systems, Health and Sustainability
The current food system fails to provide healthy food in adequate quantity and quality for the world population. It has a significant environmental burden, accounting for 30% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of freshwater use, while deforestation for livestock farming is destroying ecosystems and accelerating biodiversity loss.
When focusing on human health outcomes, current practices increase risk of zoonotic pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, contaminated foods, unhealthy diets, and environmental exposures – all of which can directly and indirectly increase communicable and non-communicable diseases.
As we can see, the food system’s challenges are complex, cross-sectoral, and urgent. These are not just a health issue but a governance one. Without prioritization in global health governance, these interconnected problems will worsen, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
Governance as an entry point for Food Systems Transformation
As we recognize the central role that food systems plays, effective governance that protects people, animals and the planet must be in place. Achieving this requires coordinated efforts across countries and sectors, from local to global, with food systems present at the health and climate agenda. Key areas of action include:
Promoting the Planetary Health Diet: Proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission, this diet combines healthy nutritious food for the individual with respect for planetary boundaries. It emphasizes plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole-grain, while reducing red meat, dairy, and ultra-processed foods. Adopting this diet could prevent millions of deaths and reduce the environmental impact of food systems. Governance mechanisms can support this shift by promoting policies that encourage healthy, sustainable eating habits, such as subsidies for locally grown foods, education campaigns, policies to limit harmful marketing for ultra-processed foods, and clear labeling.
Regulating harmful farming practices: Excessive antibiotic use, poor animal welfare conditions, and unsafe live animal transport require strengthened global governance. Global agreements, such as a revised International Health Regulations (IHR), could establish specific targets to reduce misuse of antibiotics and improve living conditions. National governments must monitor and enforce these agreements adapting for local contexts.
Think Global, Act Local: While global initiatives set the agenda, local governments can incentivize small-scale farmers by providing access to resources, financing, and training. Diverse sources of knowledge, including research and academia, indigenous communities, and rural expertise, form an important pilar for culturally sensitive change. Partnerships between local actors and international bodies are vital to ensuring support reaches where it is most needed.
Reforming Livestock “Wet Markets”: wet markets are a potential source for outbreaks, as the proximity of humans with diverse domestic and wild animals in stressful and poor conditions facilitates the spillover of zoonotic diseases. A One Health approach, emphasizing improved hygiene, regulated live animal sales, and enforcing oversight, is critical for reducing pandemic risks.
Recognize the Rights of Nature and Animals: The anthropocentric view that values the environment and other animals only in relation to human benefit is a key factor in the challenges we face today. Recognizing the intrinsic value of all beings can shift governance models from exploitative to sustainable and respectful approaches. Ecuador’s recognition of nature’s rights provides a foundation for integrating these principles in policies. Such decolonial perspectives invites an ethical governance, valuing life in itself and not solely in terms of human interests.
A Call to Action
Transformation of the global food system is an urgent challenge requiring integrated governance frameworks that align health, sustainability, and ethics. It is not just about reacting to crises, but creating systems that protect people, animals and planet. A change in food systems might not be simple, but it is one of the most powerful ways to build a healthier and equitable future for all.
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