A food system transformation pathway reconciles 1.5° global warming with improved health, environment and social inclusion

The improvement of the global food system requires thorough understanding of how specific measures may contribute to the system’s transformation. Here, we apply a global food and land system modeling framework to quantify the impact of 23 food system measures on 15 outcome indicators related to public health, the environment, social inclusion, and the economy, up to 2050. While all individual measures come with trade-offs, their combination can reduce trade-offs and enhance co-benefits. We estimate that combining all food system measures may reduce yearly mortality by 182 million life years and almost halves nitrogen surplus while offsetting negative effects of environmental protection measures on absolute poverty. In joint effort with measures outside the food system, the 1.5°C climate target can be achieved.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Publication Database PIK (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK))
Published
2025-12-19
Primary Topic
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A food system transformation pathway reconciles 1.5° global warming with improved health, environment and social inclusion

Alexandre C. Köberle, V. P. Singh, P. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1197-4412 von Jeetze, B. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2630-7081 Sörgel et al.
Publication Database PIK (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK))
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
article

A food system transformation pathway reconciles 1.5° global warming with improved health, environment and social inclusion

Alexandre C. Köberle, V. P. Singh, P. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1197-4412 von Jeetze, B. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2630-7081 Sörgel, Q. ; https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3331-3395 Collignon, E. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6530-1849 Molina Bacca, F. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2927-9407 Humpenöder, K. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5860-9789 Karstens, M. Crawford, Z. Nicholls, J. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4309-6431 Dietrich, K. Ravi, P. Schreinemachers, C. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9491-3550 Müller, C. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6129-3933 Hunecke, D. Chen, X. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2678-9217 Wang, P. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9454-8381 Rein, A. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8287-9922 Mishra, M. Springmann, H. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0003-5508 Lotze-Campen, J. Lewis, I. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7651-6930 Weindl, J. Strefler, P. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6856-8239 Sauer, B. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8242-6712 Bodirsky, D. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6034-9640 Leip, F. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8725-7663 Beier, J. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5256-0024 Heinke, A. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9500-1986 Popp, S. Dietz, M. ; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1799-186X Stevanović
article en

Abstract

The improvement of the global food system requires thorough understanding of how specific measures may contribute to the system’s transformation. Here, we apply a global food and land system modeling framework to quantify the impact of 23 food system measures on 15 outcome indicators related to public health, the environment, social inclusion, and the economy, up to 2050. While all individual measures come with trade-offs, their combination can reduce trade-offs and enhance co-benefits. We estimate that combining all food system measures may reduce yearly mortality by 182 million life years and almost halves nitrogen surplus while offsetting negative effects of environmental protection measures on absolute poverty. In joint effort with measures outside the food system, the 1.5°C climate target can be achieved.

Publication Database PIK (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK))
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 27%
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Open Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.