World leaders gathered in Paris to forge a global strategy addressing climate change, covering energy, transportation, forestry, and food. However, a critical area needing more attention is reducing food loss and waste. But what’s the food got to do with climate change? The answer is, a lot.
The Significant Climate Impact of Food Loss and Waste
Globally, approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that this accounts for about 4.4 gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (4.4 Gt CO2e) annually. To put this in perspective, if food loss and waste were a country, it would rank as the third-largest emitter globally, only behind China and the United States. In fact, the greenhouse gas emissions from food loss and waste exceed those of the entire aviation industry four times over, rivaling emissions from road transport. Addressing what’s the food we waste can significantly impact global emissions.
Understanding the Sources of Emissions: What’s the Food’s Journey?
The greenhouse gas emissions tied to food loss and waste originate from various stages of the food supply chain, revealing what’s the food footprint from farm to landfill:
- Agricultural emissions: On-farm activities such as livestock digestion, manure management, energy use, and fertilizer application contribute to emissions for food that is ultimately lost or wasted.
- Energy for Production and Processing: Manufacturing and processing food requires electricity and heat, generating emissions when the food is not consumed.
- Transportation, Storage, and Cooking: The energy consumed in transporting, storing, and preparing food contributes to the carbon footprint, especially when that food is wasted.
- Landfill Emissions: Decomposing food in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- Land Use Change and Deforestation: Producing food that goes to waste can drive deforestation and land use change, further increasing emissions. Understanding what’s the food impact requires analyzing its entire lifecycle.
Economic Implications: What’s the Food Cost?
Beyond its environmental impact, food loss and waste carries substantial economic consequences at personal, national, and global levels. Food waste in households and restaurants represents a significant financial burden. In the United States, a family of four loses an average of $1,600 per year, while the average household with children in the United Kingdom wastes about £700 (approximately $1,060) annually. China throws away roughly $32 billion worth of food each year. In sub-Saharan Africa, post-harvest losses amount to up to $4 billion per year. The FAO estimates that the global cost of food loss and waste reaches approximately $940 billion annually. Considering what’s the food value helps highlight the need to reduce waste.
Reducing food loss and waste can alleviate economic burdens, particularly for vulnerable populations. The World Bank estimates that a mere 1 percent reduction in post-harvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa could yield economic gains of $40 million each year, benefiting smallholder farmers directly.
A Win-Win Strategy: What’s the Food Solution?
Reducing food loss and waste presents a “win-win” strategy that benefits both the environment and the economy. Governments must recognize this as an effective way to reduce emissions and meet Target 12.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for halving food waste by 2030. Actions like the French National Assembly’s law that prohibits supermarkets from destroying edible food and promotes food recovery efforts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s goal to reduce food waste by 50 percent by 2030, are crucial steps. When considering what’s the food waste solution, policy plays a key role.
The private sector, too, has a responsibility. Initiatives like the Consumer Goods Forum’s commitment to reduce food waste from member operations by 50 percent by 2025 demonstrate leadership.
Finally, households play a vital role. Reducing the amount of food that ends up in our bins is a critical step. Reflecting on what’s the food we can save at home has significant impact.
Ultimately, tackling food loss and waste requires a collective effort from governments, businesses, and individuals. By understanding what’s the food impact and taking decisive action, we can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
