The recently released WWF Living Planet Report highlights India’s food consumption patterns as the most sustainable among major economies, emphasizing that if the world adopts India’s model, food production by 2050 would be far less damaging to the climate. In comparison, countries such as Argentina, Australia, and the USA are highlighted as having the least sustainable food consumption patterns, with their current practices demanding several Earths to sustain future food production.
The report warns that if the current food consumption habits of the world’s leading economies continue unchanged, food-related greenhouse gas emissions could exceed the 1.5°C global warming limit by 263%. The report further estimates that sustaining such patterns would require between one and seven Earths to meet humanity's food production needs. However, if all countries adopted India’s diet, the planet would only need 0.84 Earths by 2050 to support global food production.
India’s millet mission receives special recognition in the report for its contribution to sustainable food systems. It also highlights the importance of addressing unsustainable diets due to their negative impact on public health. Overconsumption, particularly of fats and sugars, has led to a global obesity epidemic, with more than 2.5 billion adults overweight, including 890 million affected by obesity.
The report stresses that it is possible to provide nutritious food for a growing global population, but dietary shifts will be crucial. For developed nations, this involves moving toward plant-based foods and reducing animal product consumption. On the other hand, in countries struggling with undernutrition, increasing food consumption, including animal products, is vital to achieving healthier diets.
According to WWF’s report, if all countries adopted India’s current food consumption patterns, only 0.84 Earths would be required by 2050 to sustain global food production, which is even more favorable than the planetary climate boundary for food-related emissions. On the other hand, Argentina’s consumption habits would demand 7.4 Earths, placing it at the bottom of the sustainability ranking.
The report also highlights Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative, which has significantly boosted farmer income, crop diversity, and yields while addressing challenges like rural livelihoods and biodiversity loss. Additionally, India’s National Millet Campaign is lauded for promoting climate-resilient millets, a nutritious and sustainable grain.
WWF noted that alternative protein sources, such as legumes, plant-based meat alternatives, and nutri-cereals, will be essential for building healthier and more sustainable food systems worldwide. Additionally, financial incentives will be necessary to make nutritious foods more affordable and accessible on a global scale.
