By Cleo Verkuijl, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Marcel Beukeboom, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the FAO, and Floor de Bont, One Health Advisor, Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the FAO

As climate change accelerates and food insecurity persists, overhauling global food systems is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity.

At the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is expected to unveil a global strategy to eliminate hunger without exceeding the 1.5°C temperature limit. Over 150 countries have pledged to incorporate food-related measures into their national climate strategies, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), due to be communicated under the international climate process over the next year.

Food systems are integral to the health, livelihoods, and well-being of humankind, with corresponding effects on diverse ecosystems the world over. The imperative of transforming food systems to meet climate change targets offers an important opportunity to address food security, public health, and climate change in one go.

But the solutions require a broad perspective. Consider the following example. There is broad scientific consensus that emissions from animal agriculture should be reduced to meet climate goals. The FAO Roadmap’s in-brief version, published at COP 28 last year, highlights the livestock sector as a key intervention area to bring the food system in line with global climate targets.

However, an area of emerging concern is that certain interventions proposed to reduce emissions may inadvertently introduce new risks to our health and ecosystems.

Increasing the intensity of animal agriculture to curb deforestation is one such proposal. Intensifying animal farming may bring some emissions reductions in the short term, but could also result in a rebound effect, increasing meat consumption and undoing environmental benefits. Moreover, depending on the context, it could maintain or even boost threats of zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Other commonly proposed interventions, such as shifting away from beef farming towards chicken farming, may also carry significant public health risks as well as undermine animal welfare because of the higher number of animals involved and the tight proximity in which they are raised.

The recent resurgence of avian influenza serves as a stark reminder of our interconnected health challenges. The rampant overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture is linked to antimicrobial resistance, posing severe risks to global health. Both infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance jeopardize food security, disrupting supply chains and threatening livelihoods. Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic, likely of zoonotic origin, has marked one of the most significant setbacks in our progress toward achieving the SDGs to date.

To avoid swapping one problem for another, we must therefore prioritize a One Health approach as we embark on the needed food system transformations. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, and can benefit public health, food security, and the environment simultaneously.

Before implementing significant changes in the food system, governments, international organizations, and private sector actors can conduct One Health impact assessments. These would improve understanding of potential health impacts of proposed interventions and ensure that these interventions to reduce food systems emissions do not just help cut emissions, but also support public health goals more broadly, while avoiding unnecessary trade-offs.

As governments formulate their new climate strategies for submission under the UN climate process, they have the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to integrating One Health principles. By explicitly incorporating these principles into their plans, they can help ensure that initiatives aimed at reducing emissions from the food and agriculture sectors not only contribute to climate action, but also align with broader public health objectives.

Extensive existing research can also guide us towards the most promising interventions. In many low-income areas, particularly in the Global South, animal farming is a vital source of nutrition and income. A One Health approach emphasizes that healthy animals yield more essential food products like milk and meat, combating malnutrition and providing protein. Conversely, sick animals can diminish food supplies and spread zoonotic diseases, posing public health risks. Proper care for animals, improved nutrition, vaccinations, and maintaining genetic biodiversity help maintain their health and reduce the risk of diseases that can threaten the animal population and farmers’ incomes.

Conversely, in high-income countries (HICs) and many middle-income countries (MICs), meat consumption is already excessive, harming our health and the environment. Diets rich in legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only mitigate environmental harm but also enhance public health. Governments can facilitate this dietary shift by reducing taxes or offering subsidies on these healthier foods, making them more affordable for everyone.

Investments in alternative proteins – plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-derived – present further opportunities to simultaneously advance multiple SDGs. As a recent UN report highlights, these alternatives promise significant environmental benefits and address major health concerns such as antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases. Still, the nutritional impacts of these alternatives must be monitored to ensure they meet the health and dietary needs of diverse populations.

Crucially, as food systems evolve, vulnerable communities must be supported through a just transition that supports stable livelihoods through the changes. No one should be left behind as the world shifts towards more sustainable, equitable food production.

Current attention to addressing emissions from the food system is overdue. Adopting a One Health approach is essential to ensure that human health, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability are integrated into the strategies for aligning the food system with climate goals.