EATING OUR WAY TO A HEALTHY PLANET

Given the mixed reactions to the recent climate change talks in Durban, what can individuals do at a personal level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Since the food sector accounts for about 30% of energy consumption and over 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, how can we curb the spread of our ‘Western’ diet which is high in meat, dairy and processed food? And with the average European citizen eating almost 3,500 calories daily – 1,000 calories more than recommended – how can we stop the rising epidemic of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart and cerebrovascular diseases?

These are some of the issues LiveWell for Low Impact Food in Europe (LIFE) aims to address over the next three years.

The food we eat is at the heart of many key health and environmental issues. LiveWell for LIFE is a pioneering project that introduces the concept of a healthy and sustainable diet; a diet which can bring significant health benefits to EU citizens and contribute towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the EU food supply chain.

Chantal Bruetschy, Head of Unit, Innovation and Sustainability, European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumers
Tara Garnett, Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Strategy and Director of the Food Climate Research Network, University of Surrey, UK

Christine Moeller, Policy Officer, Economic Assessment of Climate Policies, European Commission Directorate General for Climate Action

Carmen Villar, Senior Expert, Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency