Adoption of the ‘planetary health diet’ has different impacts on countries’ greenhouse gas emissions

A worldwide shift from current diets to the planetary health diet proposed by the EAT–Lancet Commission would have direct implications for agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By modelling the trajectory of food from cradle to farm gate while accounting for international trade, we estimate that agricultural GHG emissions would decrease in 101 countries as well as globally. Yet, in primarily low- and middle-income countries, agricultural GHG emissions would increase by 12–283%. Country-specific impacts of dietary transitions should be considered in climate change mitigation policy. Country-specific impacts of dietary transitions must be considered in climate change mitigation efforts. By modelling the trajectory of food, including international trade, this study reveals how greenhouse gas emissions of low-, middle- and high-income countries are expected to change with the adoption of the EAT–Lancet diet.