Inaction on food waste is putting food security at risk and fueling climate change, according to NGOs such as the Global FoodBanking Network and ReFED. They estimate that the global cost of food loss and waste reaches around $1 trillion each year.
Shockingly, one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, contributing up to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions—much more than the aviation industry combined. If we don’t act soon, food waste could exceed 2.1 billion tonnes annually by 2030, racking up costs of about $1.5 trillion for global economies.
Currently, only a few nations are taking steps to tackle this issue, which isn’t enough to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. The NGOs call for more governments to incorporate food waste reduction in their climate commitments, especially at COP30.
Catherine David, the CEO of WRAP, emphasizes that reducing food waste presents a major opportunity in addressing climate change. Many countries, including Kenya and Colombia, are already integrating food waste reduction strategies into their national climate plans.
Dana Gunders, president of ReFED, highlights the financial benefits of reducing food waste. It can help ease costs for everyone, from businesses to households. The link between saving money and fighting climate change is crucial, especially during economic downturns.
On a regulatory level, the EU recently introduced binding targets for food waste reduction, effective by December 31, 2030. Countries must cut their food waste by 10% in processing and by 30% per capita in other sectors like retail and households.
In Ireland, food waste stands at an astounding 835,000 tonnes each year. The government plans to update its National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap and is seeking community-led initiatives aimed at tackling this issue. Nearly €27 million is available for local projects through the Community Climate Action Programme, aiding efforts to address food waste and promote sustainable practices.
As more countries acknowledge the importance of tackling food waste, the hope is for better resource management that could alleviate both environmental and economic burdens.
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