31/03/2026
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐛-𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧, 𝐀𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐚𝐧!
Strengthening the Link Between Nutrition and Environmental Protection, with a focus on Climate Action
Every year, the Philippines celebrates Nutrition Month (NM) to promote greater awareness and collective action toward improving the nutritional status of Filipinos, mandated by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491 of 1974 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines. Since 2024, the NM campaign has been guided by the overarching theme, “Sa PPAN, Sama-Sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,” with a selected sub-theme under this broader call to highlight the key pillars of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN).
The NNC Technical Committee, consisting of various bureaus, offices, and organizations, has approved“𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻, 𝗔𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗮𝗻!" as this year’s sub-theme. This focus builds on PPAN 2023–2028 programs that promote sustainable and nutrition-sensitive food systems. It highlights the vital connection between nutrition and the environment, emphasizing that protection of natural resources is essential to ensuring sustainable food systems, food security, and good nutrition for present and future generations.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and unsustainable land use. These changes alter the natural environment by increasing global temperatures, disrupting ecosystems, raising sea levels, and intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2021). Nutrition and climate change are closely interconnected. Climate change directly affects food systems by influencing agricultural productivity, fisheries, and food supply chains. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and typhoons can disrupt food production and reduce the availability of nutritious foods (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2015). In countries like the Philippines, where many communities rely heavily on agriculture and marine resources for their livelihoods and daily food consumption, these climate-related disruptions can significantly affect access to diverse and healthy diets.
When food production becomes unstable, communities may experience limited access to nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fish. This situation can increase the risk of malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations including children, pregnant women, and low-income households (World Vision International, 2024). Climate change can also affect the nutritional quality of food by altering crop yields and nutrient composition, further challenging efforts to ensure adequate nutrition for all.
At the same time, food systems contribute to climate change. The way food is produced, processed, transported, and consumed generates a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that food systems account for approximately 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the need to promote sustainable diets and environmentally responsible food production practices (UN-Nutrition, 2021). Unsustainable agricultural practices, excessive food waste, and high consumption of resource-intensive foods place pressure on land, water, and biodiversity, ultimately affecting the environment that supports food production.
Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that integrates nutrition goals with environmental sustainability. Transforming food systems to become more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive is essential in addressing malnutrition while also mitigating climate change (World Health Organization, 2023). Climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable fisheries, diversified crop production, and the promotion of locally produced and seasonal foods are key strategies that can help ensure stable food supply while protecting natural resources.
Scientific and development organizations also emphasize the importance of investing in climate-resilient and nutrient-dense crops that can adapt to changing environmental conditions while supporting healthy diets (FAO & International Atomic Energy Agency, 2024). These innovations, together with improved agricultural practices and responsible consumption patterns, can help strengthen food systems and promote better nutrition outcomes.
In the Philippines, the National Nutrition Council plays a crucial role in advancing policies and programs that promote proper nutrition across the life cycle. Through coordinated nutrition interventions and multi-sectoral collaboration, the Council supports initiatives that ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sustainable food while responding to emerging challenges such as climate change.
The theme “𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻, 𝗔𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗮𝗻!” serves as a call to action for government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities to work together in protecting both human health and the environment. Safeguarding forests, oceans, agricultural lands, and water resources helps secure our food sources and ensures that future generations will continue to have access to nutritious and sustainable diets.
As we celebrate Nutrition Month 2026, let us recognize that the health of people and the health of the planet are inseparable. By adopting sustainable food practices, reducing food waste, supporting local and climate-resilient food production, and strengthening nutrition programs, we can build resilient food systems and ensure better nutrition for all Filipinos—while caring for the environment that sustains us.
References:
[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2015). Climate change, food security and nutrition. FAO.https://www.fao.org/3/i5188e/i5188e.pdf
[2] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, & International Atomic Energy Agency. (2024). Enhancing agrifood systems through climate-resilient and nutrition-dense crops. https://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/cc3734en
[3] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate change 2021: The physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157896
[4] UN-Nutrition. (2021). Positioning nutrition as integral to the climate change agenda. https://www.unnutrition.org/publications/positioning-nutrition-climate-change
[5] World Health Organization. (2023). Transforming food systems for healthy diets. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240076385
[6] World Vision International. (2024). Climate change is increasing hunger and malnutrition. https://www.worldvision.org/our-work/climate-change-hunger-malnutrition
