Ensuring Sustainable Plates
The urgent need to transform the world’s food systems is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We need to feed nearly 10 billion people by 2050 without destroying even more of the world’s remaining biodiversity or fueling climate change. There is plenty of evidence that we can do so if we act collectively.
To build national-level pathways to a healthy and globally sustainable food system, there are many questions that need to be answered. WWF scientists are identifying and developing the science required to fill knowledge gaps on the production changes, dietary shifts, and food loss and waste reductions needed within each country to achieve healthy diets for all its citizens, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring biodiversity. This includes the critical contribution of rivers and aquatic foods to the food system.
With this research, WWF teams and partners can work with governments, businesses, and civil society to pursue national-level changes to their country’s food system that will work for their people.
This research demonstrates the valuable role rivers play in the food system, which has been neglected in the global dialogues on feeding 10 billion people.
This scientific assessment was the first to show how individuals can shift their diets to be beneficial for the planet and their health, and contribute to reducing impacts on nature by the food system. Use the Planet-based Diets calculator to assess the impact of your pantry.
Listen to experts discuss the role of aquatic foods in nourishing the planet in the 2021 WWF Fuller Science for Nature Symposium.
This report introduces a framework to help identify opportunities and constraints to food system transformation.
Brent Loken
Global Food Lead Scientist, Global Science
Jeff Opperman
Global Freshwater Lead Scientist, Global Science
Nathan Bennett
Global Oceans Lead Scientist, Global Science
Michele Thieme
Deputy Director, Freshwater