NEWS RELEASE 16/06/14
Eating habits must change to protect people and planet
New report from Food Climate Research Network calls for firm steps towards sustainable healthy eating
Government leadership and substantial investment in research are needed to shift global
consumption habits towards eating patterns that are both healthy and sustainable, say academics,
industry and NGOs representatives in a new report.
The report, Changing What We Eat, published today by the Food Climate Research Network (FCRN),
part of the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, outlines the work needed to shift societies to
consumption patterns that can meet both public health and environmental goals.
Research is now needed in three key areas, say those involved in the report:
1. What are healthy sustainable eating patterns?
2. How do we eat now, why, and what are the health and sustainability implications?
3. How do we achieve positive change?
Experts say global trends in eating habits – including increasing meat consumption in many parts of
the world - are detrimental both to the environment and to human health, and that a significant
shift in consumption practices among high consuming populations is needed. The food system
contributes to some 20-30 per cent of human-generated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is the
leading cause of deforestation, land and soil degradation and biodiversity loss, accounts for 70 per
cent of all human water use and is a major source of water pollution. Livestock rearing, for meat and
dairy products, carries a particularly high environmental cost, accounting for some 15 per cent of
global GHG emissions. At the same time, current eating patterns, alongside other lifestyle factors,
are putting an unsustainable burden on health services around the world. While meat and animal
products can be an important source of nutrients for many, high and growing intakes are associated
with a range of chronic diseases.
The report’s lead author, Dr Tara Garnett of the FCRN, says a focus on consumption - on eating more
sustainably - is urgently needed. “There have been important efforts to improve the sustainability
of food production in recent years. But while these production-side measures are necessary, they
are not by themselves sufficient. To address the multiple environmental, health and societal
challenges we face we also need to adopt eating patterns that have lower environmental impacts,
deliver broader societal benefits, and support good health.”
The report follows a workshop organised by the FCRN, and funded and hosted by the Wellcome
Trust with additional support from the UK’s multi-agency Global Food Security Programme. The
report invites collaboration with the FCRN in driving forward investment and research.
Dr Garnett added: “Action for sustainable eating will always be a shared responsibility across
industry, academics, civil society and consumers and there is a growing willingness by many to
engage in this challenge. But there is an urgent need for political leadership to set the direction of
travel and to provide support.
“We also need substantial government-backed investment in research to improve our
understanding of how we can actually change patterns of consumption.”
Notes to Editors

Participants in the workshop, held on 22-23 April 2014, included the Food and Drink
Federation, Mars, WWF, Eating Better Alliance, DEFRA and World Cancer Research Fund
International as well as leading academics. (For a full list of participants please see Appendix
1 of the report.)

The Food Climate Research Network was set up in 2005 and is now based at the
Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. The FCRN’s main aims are to
communicate information on food, climate change and wider issues of sustainability, bring
people together to share knowledge and ideas, and act as an ‘honest broker’ between
different stakeholders who may have very different perspectives and priorities. For more
information see www.fcrn.org.uk .

The citation for the report is: Garnett T (2014). Changing what we eat: A call for research &
action on widespread adoption of sustainable healthy eating. Food Climate Research
Network, University of Oxford.
Key facts

Studies generally find that lower environmental impact eating patterns (measured by GHG
emissions and land use) are centred on a diverse range of minimally processed tubers, whole
grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, with animal products eaten sparingly.

In high income countries, agricultural production accounts for about 50 per cent of foodrelated GHG emissions. The remaining 50 per cent is caused by the manufacture, transport,
retailing, cooking and refrigeration of foods.

Between 30 and 50 per cent of all food produced globally is wasted. This loss not only
undermines food security but represents a waste of land, water and other inputs, as well as
causing the generation of unnecessary emissions.

In regions such as Europe, Australia and the United States, per capita consumption of animal
products, is typically very high but is broadly static. Per capita intakes in the emerging
economies of Brazil, India and China, tend to be about 30-50% lower than in high income
regions but are rising rapidly. Most of the growth in global demand for animal products will
come from these growing populations and economies.
For interviews and further comment contact the media team at the Oxford Martin School:
Carole Scott, Head of External Relations
[email protected]
01865 287438 or 07825 931579
Sally-Anne Stewart, Communications Officer
[email protected]
01865 287429