In her doctoral thesis, Anna Stubbendorff has studied the effects of the EAT-Lancet diet, a dietary pattern designed to be sustainable for both people and the planet. Using large population studies, her research shows that such a diet can reduce the risk of conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, whilst nutritional levels are comparable to those of people eating a more meat-based diet.
“This award means a great deal to me. I hope that the research can help us to talk more openly about food and the role it plays in both our health and a sustainable society,” says Anna Stubbendorff.
The Agenda 2030 Award is presented by the Agenda 2030 Graduate School and includes a grant of 25,000 Swedish kronor, sponsored by the Duni Group.
“Anna’s work brings us back to the systems thinking that has long been central to sustainable development. Through rigorous scientific analysis, she demonstrates how synergies arise between individual health, society and global environmental and climate systems, “ says Markus Gunneflo, coordinator of the Agenda 2030 Graduate School.
In addition to the winner, Zhiyong Wu and Niklas Warlin, both former PhD students at Lund University Faculty of Engineering (LTH), are each awarded an honourable mention. Zhiyong Wu is recognised for his research into metal fuels as a carbon-free energy source, whilst Niklas Warlin is recognised for his research into new recyclable and renewable-based plastics.
Listen to the researchers at Sustainability Week
Welcome to the Agenda 2030 Award ceremony, which will be held on 14 April at Stadshallen in Lund as part of Sustainability Week. The audience will be treated to a sustainable lunch and will have the opportunity to learn about Anna Stubbendorff’s research and ask their own questions. Honourable mentions Zhiyong Wu and Niklas Warlin will also be in attendance.
The event is organised by the Agenda 2030 Graduate School in collaboration with the Duni Group, which sponsors the sustainability award.
Read more:Lund University Agenda 2030 Award Ceremony 2026 | Agenda 2030 Graduate School
Award rationale – Agenda 2030 Award 2026
“For a long time, we have suspected that diets richer in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and similar foods may simultaneously benefit both human health and the planet. Using large population-based cohorts, Anna Stubbendorff has systematically examined how diets with lower environmental impact relate to nutritional adequacy, cardiometabolic disease risk, and mortality.
Her work is innovative in its integrated approach, combining environmental life-cycle assessment data with nutritional epidemiology and long-term health outcomes. Through a comprehensive assessment of the trade-offs and synergies between environmental sustainability and human health, she advances both the methodological and conceptual foundations of the field. Anna Stubbendorf’s research provides robust, policy-relevant evidence that climate-friendly diets can offer high nutritional quality while also supporting long-term health.
The combination of scientific rigor, societal relevance, and practical applicability makes Anna Stubbendorff highly deserving of the 2026 Agenda 2030 Award."