Food loss and waste reduction, measurement and policy
Food loss and waste reduction should be seen as a means towards achieving other objectives, including improving food security and nutrition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering pressure on water and land resources, which contribute towards increased productivity and economic growth. The formulation of effective policies to achieve food loss and waste reduction requires comprehensive information as to how much and where – both geographically and along the supply chain – various foods are lost or wasted. The work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on measurement, and its support to countries in taking action to reduce food loss and waste, is critical in tracking progress made by countries.
Latest events
Strengthening climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation through food loss and waste reduction
01/12/2023
At COP-28, a side-event discusses how FLW reduction can contribute to GHG emissions reduction ...
Latest news
FAO at COP28 | Agrifood system solutions are climate solutions
23/11/2023
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai will take place between 30 November and 12...
FAO Food Loss App - FLAPP
29/09/2023
FAO has just developed a new app to convert a methodology to measure food losses at the farm level. The Food Loss App - FLAPP’s main objective is to help designing targeted policies and incentives that in the future will allow losses to be reduced, directly impacting UN Sustainable Goal Target 12.3.
Play VideoStories
Community of Practice (CoP) on food loss reduction
As a member of the Community of Practice on food loss and waste reduction you will be able to access the Forum, participate in online discussions, get in touch with other practitioners, share and request relevant and updated information, contribute to building a worldwide community that aims to reduce food losses and achieve food security.
Publications
Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction
20/07/2022
Following the request of the 26th Session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG), FAO has developed the Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction (CoC). The document was submitted to the FAO Conference for consideration and endorsement, and approved on 15 June 2021.
The State of Food and Agriculture 2019
31/10/2019
A shorter version of the FAO flagship publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 2019, it contains the key messages and main points from the publication and is aimed at the media, policy makers and a more general public.
Mitigating risks to food systems during COVID-19: Reducing food loss and waste
08/12/2020
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, generating significant challenges that could result in risks to food security and nutrition in many countries. Countries are ordering lockdowns, restricting movement and observing physical distancing to curb the pandemic.
Food Waste Index Report 2021
22/04/2021
The Food Waste Index Report aims at supporting the goals of SDG 12.3. It does so by presenting the most comprehensive food waste data collection, analysis and modelling to date, generating a new estimate of global food waste.
