According to the latest findings from the Living Planet Report, India has emerged as a global leader in sustainable food consumption among the G20 nations. The report emphasizes that if more countries adopted India’s dietary habits, it would significantly reduce environmental damage and help mitigate climate change by 2050.
India is followed by Indonesia and China, both recognized for their environmentally sustainable dietary practices. On the opposite end, the United States, Argentina, and Australia are flagged as having the least sustainable food consumption patterns.
One of the key issues highlighted in the report is the global overconsumption of fats and sugars, contributing to a rising obesity epidemic. Presently, over 2.5 billion adults are considered overweight, with approximately 890 million classified as obese.
A major initiative spotlighted is India’s National Millet Campaign, aimed at promoting the consumption of ancient grains known for their health benefits and resilience to climate change. “In some countries, promoting traditional foods will be an important lever to shift diets,” the report notes, stressing the role of indigenous foods in driving sustainability.
Millets under NFSM:
Sorghum (Jowar)
Pearl Millet (Bajra)
Finger Millet (Ragi)Minor Millets:
Foxtail Millet (Kangani)
Proso Millet (Cheena)
Kodo Millet (Kodo)
Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa)
Little Millet (Kutki)2 Pseudo Millets:
Buck-wheat (Kuttu)
Amaranthus (Chaulai)-PIB pic.twitter.com/12EhPYFkm6
— Insights | Integration🖊️ (@con_nectinder) February 21, 2024
India’s culinary diversity includes a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. In northern India, staples such as lentils and wheat-based rotis are often paired with meat dishes, while southern India favors rice and fermented foods like idli and dosa, served with sambhar and chutney. Various types of fish are prevalent in the western, eastern, and northeastern regions, along with ancient millets such as jowar, bajra, ragi, and Dalia.
The report sounds a dire warning for global food consumption: “If everyone in the world adopted the current food consumption patterns of the world’s major economies by 2050, we would exceed the 1.5°C climate target for food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 263 per cent and require one to seven Earths to support us.” This highlights the need for a collective shift in dietary habits across nations.
As the world faces urgent sustainability challenges, India’s approach to food consumption could serve as a crucial model for nations looking to balance dietary preferences with environmental responsibility. The Living Planet Report calls for all countries to rethink their food systems and promote traditional, sustainable practices that benefit both public health and the planet.
