Beyond the protein obsession: Building sustainable food systems for people and planet
Protein has become the focus of countless conversations about health and sustainability. But the real challenge is not choosing between plant- or animal-based protein. It is building food systems that deliver diverse, nutritious diets while protecting biodiversity, supporting farmers and staying within planetary boundaries.
- Climate Action
- crops
- nutrition
Beyond the protein obsession: Building sustainable food systems for people and planet
Protein has become the focus of countless conversations about health and sustainability. But the real challenge is not choosing between plant- or animal-based protein. It is building food systems that deliver diverse, nutritious diets while protecting biodiversity, supporting farmers and staying within planetary boundaries.
Protein matters. But healthy and sustainable diets matter more
Protein has become the nutrient of our moment. Few nutrients have achieved celebrity status quite like protein. From supermarket shelves to social media feeds, protein has become synonymous with health, fitness and increasing sustainability. Yet our growing obsession with protein risks distracting us from a more important question: how do we build food systems that nourish both people and planet?
At the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, we work at the intersection of agriculture, biodiversity and nutrition. From that perspective, protein is not something we look at in isolation. We look at whether food systems can provide healthy diets while supporting livelihoods, restoring ecosystems and building resilience.
The challenge is not simply producing more protein or less protein. It is ensuring access to diverse, nutritious and sustainable diets.