Food waste is a significant global issue that not only affects our economy and food security but also contributes to environmental problems. [1] Food waste can be classified into six categories as shown in the pie chart below. As we can see, cereals & grains and vegetables contribute to a significant portion of the overall food waste. [2]

Food waste deposited in landfills undergoes anaerobic digestion, a process in which decomposition occurs without the presence of oxygen. [3]

This anaerobic decomposition of organic matter generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The released methane enters the atmosphere and contributes to the exacerbation of climate change.

The subsequent slide presents an overview of the top ten countries exhibiting significant levels of food waste. [4]

One-third of the greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities can be attributed to food waste, making it a substantial contributor. Furthermore, food waste is responsible for an annual generation of 8% of greenhouse gases. Given these statistics, there is a critical imperative to minimise this environmental impact and reduce our overall carbon footprint. [5]

The importance of addressing food waste is underscored in the UN Environment Programme’s GEO-6 report, which emphasizes it as one of three crucial actions required to drive transformative changes in our food system. [6]

The graph displayed in the preceding slide [7] demonstrated a notable rise of nearly 1 degree Celsius in global temperatures since the year 2000, highlighting the potential for significant consequences and challenges [8], including:

• Accelerated melting of glaciers and polar ice.
• Intensification of extreme weather events.
• Disruption of ecosystems and biodiversity loss.
• Challenges for agriculture, including reduced yields and increased pests.
• Health risks, including heat-related illnesses and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

The rise of global temperatures poses significant challenges for our planet. One key contributing factor is food waste, which exacerbates the issue. Food waste decomposition in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Additionally, as temperatures increase, the consequences intensify. Addressing food waste and implementing sustainable waste management practices are crucial steps in mitigating these effects and building a more resilient and sustainable future.

Remember, small steps can lead to big changes. Together, let’s embrace the challenge of reducing food waste and embrace a future where resources are utilised wisely, benefiting both the planet and society as a whole.

[1] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2023), “Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste.” Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/platform-food-loss-waste/en/

[2] Information id Beautiful (2023), “Food Waste is a Big Climate Problem We Can Actually Solve.” Retrieved from https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/food-waste/

[3] David P. M. Zaks et al (2011), “Contribution of Anaerobic Digesters to Emissions Mitigation and Electricity Generation Under U.S. Climate Policy.” Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155279/

[4] World Population Review (2023), “Food Waste by Country 2023.” Retrieved from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/food-waste-by-country

[5] Jangira Lewis (2022), “How Does Food Waste Affect the Environment?” Retrieved from https://earth.org/how-does-food-waste-affect-the-environment/#:~:text=Food%20waste%20accounts%20for%20one,to%20reduce%20this%20environmental%20footprint

[6] UN Environment (2019), “Global Environment Outlook 6.” Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6

[7] Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser, and Pablo Rosado (2020), “CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions

[8] United States Environmental Protection Agency (2017), “International Climate Impacts.” Retrieved from https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/international-climate-impacts_.html#main-content