Climate change
Food loss and waste (FLW) contributes approximately 8 percent of the total man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. FLW, if left to rot or disposed of in a landfill, will generate methane gas and hence contribute to GHG emissions. Methane is a gas that has 25 times more potential to contribute to global warming than carbon dioxide (CO2).
Preventing FLW in fish value chains would avoid unnecessary GHG emissions and help mitigate climate change. Adaptation to climate change by changing aquaculture practices, research and investment in new processing or value addition methods is important.
Fish is said to have a low CO2 footprint compared to other animal protein sources. However, the GHG associated with a product tend to increase the further along the value chain it goes. GHG emissions are highest for products at the consumption stage.
Preventing FLW in fish value chains would avoid unnecessary GHG emissions and help mitigate climate change. Adaptation to climate change by changing aquaculture practices, research and investment in new processing or value addition methods is important.
Fish is said to have a low CO2 footprint compared to other animal protein sources. However, the GHG associated with a product tend to increase the further along the value chain it goes. GHG emissions are highest for products at the consumption stage.
Climate change impacts on food loss and waste
There is evidence of the impacts of climate change on FLW, including links to disease outbreaks, effects on food safety, and changes in weather on fish processing. For example, aquaculture can be affected by warming waters that lead to toxic algal blooms.
Changes in weather patterns have implications for fish landing times as well as traditional drying practices. Climate change, as it affects water temperature, can also lead to ecosystem changes and changes in species, and hence catch composition. This, in turn, can necessitate changes in post-harvest technology and markets. It also has implications for food safety with the spread of , for example, ciguatera poisoning.
Reducing food loss and waste and climate change
Investing in strategies to reduce FLW is an important approach to mitigating climate change. Decision-makers should be aware of how solutions for FLW can either positively or negatively affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, consequently, climate change. It is essential to assess whether the benefits of these solutions outweigh their environmental costs.
