Transforming Food Systems to Stay Within Earth’s Limits
Can we feed the world without harming the planet? That was the core question explored during a global webinar hosted on 29 April 2025 by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. With food systems contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and water stress, while also failing to deliver healthy diets for all, the discussion focused on what real transformation could look like.
Held under the theme “Transforming Food Systems to Return to Earth’s Limits,” the event brought together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to consider how food systems can meet human needs without overshooting ecological limits. The discussion built on insights from the SAC’s recent policy brief, which outlines strategies for aligning food systems with planetary boundaries while advancing equity and resilience.
The conversation began by acknowledging the scale of the challenge. Food systems support over a billion people through jobs and livelihoods—but also account for major environmental pressures. To move forward, speakers emphasized the need to shift from isolated fixes toward more connected approaches that link food production, public health, the environment, and equity.
This kind of transformation means adopting what’s known as a "nexus approach"—one that considers the relationships between planetary health, human well-being, and social justice. That involves making science more actionable, working across disciplines, and designing solutions that are grounded in local realities.
Another key point was that environmental goals must go hand-in-hand with social and economic considerations. For example, reducing fertilizer use can benefit ecosystems, but policies must also account for the impact on smallholder farmers or rural employment. Locally tailored strategies can help address both environmental and equity concerns at the same time.
Public health was also a central theme. Food systems are closely linked to nutrition and non-communicable diseases, and improving them could have a significant impact on health outcomes. Participants discussed the importance of moving away from empty calories to ensure food is both nutritious and sustainable.
Although the complexity of food systems can make change seem daunting, speakers highlighted practical entry points: education and youth engagement, stronger science-policy dialogue, and the use of digital tools to adapt global strategies to local conditions.
The event featured contributions from:
- Dr. Nicole DePaula, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub
- Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, SAC Chair
- Dr. Jean-François Soussana, SAC Co-Chair and INRAE
- Professor Thomas Hertel, Purdue University
- Professor Olanike K. Adeyemo, University of Ibadan
- Professor Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann, HLPE-FSN
The discussion made it clear that food systems transformation is both necessary and possible—with cooperation across science, policy, and communities playing a vital role in shaping solutions that work for people and the planet.
