Metrics of Sustainable Diets and Food Systems

Bioversity International is working with partners to undertake a new and important research agenda to describe, measure and influence policy and programmes on sustainable diets and food systems with the ultimate goal of improving nutrition and health. Particular focus will be given to the development of metrics to reflect the multiple dimensions of a healthy and sustainable diet. There is an urgent need to research and advance innovative strategies to better understand, measure and promote sustainable diets, emphasizing the positive role of food biodiversity in human health and nutrition. Looking forward, we need a future where food systems or food environments are constructed around human needs, but with a view to sustainability, where low carbon, accessible, culturally relevant and nutritionally adequate food is the norm. The research agenda will: • Address gaps in our understanding of what constitutes a sustainable diet • Build on the example of the Mediterranean Diet • Understand the need to value biodiversity and nutrition plus other dimensions • Propose new research on describing, measuring and promoting sustainable diets • Identify a process for developing indicators and guidelines aimed at measuring the sustainability of diets worldwide