Climate Change: Food for Thought

One third of food produced is lost or wasted, says Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. In its special report Climate Change and Land, the IPCC called for an overhaul of our global food production system and tackling food waste to help fight climate change. Causes of food loss and waste differ substantially between developed and developing countries, as well as between regions.

Food waste is responsible greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing this loss and waste would reduce green house gas emissions. Food waste is responsible greenhouse gas emissions. Especially methane production from food waste sent to landfill is a particular problem. 

The fight against food waste must happen in all stages of food production, transportation, storage, processing, packaging, retailers and consumption. We need to streamline the food supply chain as well as reduce their household food waste.

“Balanced diets featuring plant-based foods, such as coarse grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and animal-sourced food produced sustainably in low greenhouse gas emission systems, present major opportunities for adaptation to and limiting climate change,” said Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.

As per the IPCC report, reducing food waste and loss would reduce pressures on land, water and nutrients, lowering emissions and safeguarding food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), it has been estimated that if food waste was a country, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases after the US and China.

(Sources)