Food loss and waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change

Summary

Food loss and waste are major contributors to climate change, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite rising hunger and food insecurity, around 14% of food is lost post-harvest and 17% is wasted by consumers. The environmental impact includes significant methane emissions from food waste in landfills, further exacerbating climate instability. Reducing food loss and waste is crucial for improving food security, protecting livelihoods, and mitigating climate change. By transforming agri-food systems and using resources more efficiently, we can ensure better nutrition, a healthier environment, and a more resilient future for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Food loss and waste are major contributors to climate change, accounting for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• 😀 Around 14% of the world's food is lost after harvest and in distribution before it reaches retail, and an additional 17% is wasted by consumers.
• 😀 Carbon dioxide is generated at every step of the food supply system, including production, handling, transportation, storage, and distribution.
• 😀 Food waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 84 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over 20 years.
• 😀 Greenhouse gases contribute to an unstable climate, leading to extreme weather events that negatively impact crop yields and food security.
• 😀 3.1 billion people cannot access a healthy diet, and 828 million people go hungry every day, even though food is wasted or lost.
• 😀 Resilient agri-food systems must anticipate, prevent, adapt, and transform to protect food security, livelihoods, and nutrition.
• 😀 Reducing food loss and waste is a key strategy for transforming agri-food systems, improving productivity, and using natural resources more efficiently.
• 😀 Cutting food loss and waste can contribute to economic growth and societal benefits, ensuring food availability and access, and supporting farmers' incomes.
• 😀 Reducing food waste can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the most impactful climate solutions available today.
• 😀 Everyone has a role to play in reducing food loss and waste to create a better environment, improved nutrition, and enhanced food security.

Q & A

What is one of the biggest contributors to climate change related to food?

Food loss and waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

How much of the world's food is lost or wasted annually?

Around 14% of the world's food is lost after harvest and in the distribution chain prior to retail, and an additional 17% of food available to consumers is wasted.

What percentage of the world's greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to food loss and waste?

Food loss and waste account for 8 to 10% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

Which sector may overtake farming and land use as the largest contributor to greenhouse gases?

In a number of countries, the food supply chain is on course to overtake farming and land use as the largest contributor of greenhouse gases.

What are the environmental impacts of food waste in landfills and open dumps?

The rotting of food waste in landfills and open dumps produces around 49 million tons of methane each year, a potent greenhouse gas that has 84 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.

How do greenhouse gases affect global climate and food security?

Greenhouse gases contribute to an unstable climate, leading to drastic environmental changes and extreme weather events, which negatively impact crop yields, reduce the nutritional quality of crops, disrupt supply chains, and threaten food security.

How many people around the world cannot access a healthy diet or go hungry daily?

Around 3.1 billion people cannot access a healthy diet, and an estimated 828 million people go hungry every day while food is lost or wasted.

What characteristics are essential for resilient agri-food systems?

Resilient agri-food systems must be able to anticipate, prevent, adapt, and transform in the face of challenges, protecting food security, livelihoods, and nutrition for all.

How can reducing food loss and waste improve agri-food systems?

Reducing food loss and waste can improve productivity, ensure more efficient use of natural resources, contribute to economic growth, and benefit society by enhancing food availability, access, and farmers' income.

What is one of the most impactful climate solutions related to food systems?

Reducing food loss and waste is one of the most impactful climate solutions we have today.