FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

Sixth Regional Impact Webinar on Food Loss and Waste Reduction

Food waste reduction in households

Virtual Event, 19/12/2023

While food is lost and wasted along the whole supply chain, it has been estimated  that as much as 61 per cent of all food waste comes from households. Therefore, curbing this problem requires that public understands the importance of reducing food waste and their role in it and that it is engaged in the solution. 

In this regard, both public and private sectors shall raise awareness and empower citizens to change their resource-intensive consumption patterns. 

While communication is important to build awareness and sensitize people (create motivation), the context is pivotal to drive behavior change. That is, informed policies, sound food industry marketing strategies, access to sustainable choices, etc. must be in place to create the favourable environment (opportunity) and capacity for public to change the way they act and sustain such behaviour. 

The previous webinars in the series explored the direct and indirect ways in which policy makers and food supply chain actors can support consumers in making more sustainable choices – including through the regulation, information instruments, improvements in distribution, product and packaging design, date marking, technologies, and so on. 

The sixth Impact Webinar will explore the potential and application of behavioural science in addressing the problem of food waste at the household level. The speakers will discuss how perception of food waste by consumers might impact their behaviour, the need for the narrative change, and the tools to influence behaviour, including choice architecture, nudging, reframing and behaviourally enhanced interventions.

Speakers:

  • Sophie Attwood, Behavioural Scientist, WRI
  • Gemma Bardsley, Partner, Growth & Innovation, Sustainability, Ogilvy Consulting UK
  • Christina Gravert, Associate Professor in Economics and Chief Behavioural Economist and Co-Founder of Impactually
  • Richard Swannell, Director of Impact Growth, WRAP
Moderator: Cortney Price, Behavioural Science for Innovation, Office of Innovation, FAO