saka
Fri, 30/08/2024 – 06:23
Food loss and waste: a seriously losing proposition
Enormous amounts of resources – land, water, energy and labour – are used to produce food. When food is lost or wasted, these resources have been used up for no purpose.
The fifth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will point out that more money is needed to bolster efforts to reduce food loss and waste, help meet climate goals and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet millions suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Food loss and waste exacerbate this problem by reducing the amount of food available for consumption. Many of the most highly nutritious foods, such as fresh vegetables and meat, are only good for a short period of time and are at high risk of having to be binned before they can be eaten.
Food loss and waste hurts the economy: this affects producers, consumers and nations, not to mention livelihoods and economic stability. Moreover, food waste in landfills contributes to 8 to 10% of total agrifood system emissions – so it is also a factor in climate change.
By reducing food loss and waste, countries and communities can cut down on greenhouse gas emissions – but this will require more climate finance.
This year, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will be celebrated on 27 September. Stay tuned for more details!
Get involved in the campaign by sharing the brochure (available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).
