Agenda 2030 and the Global Food Loss Index
Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns” includes Target 12.3 “by 2030, halve the per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer level, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains including post-harvest losses”. FAO is working on the Food Loss Index (FLI) indicator for 12.3. Global Feed LCA Institute (GFLI) covers losses occurring on farms, during transport, in storage and during processing. Currently, losses in retail and households are not covered. The reference unit of measure used by GFLI is dietary energy supply, which is expressed in kilocalories (kcal).
IFPRI Food Losses methodology
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has developed a methodology that aims to improve the measurement of food losses across the value chain (i.e. farmers, intermediaries and processors). This approach not only measures the quantities of food lost, but importantly takes into consideration deterioration in quality, which entails economic losses. The objectives of the methodology are to: gauge the extent of food losses across a wide array of commodities in developing countries; measure both quantitative and qualitative economic losses; (determine the nodes where losses are more prevalent; and identify particular production processes during which losses occur.
Food Loss and Waste
Indicator SDG 12.3 Video Introduction
The Global Initiative on FLW reduction has designed a case study method to specifically collect primary and empirical data on the causes of food losses in developing countries in selected food supply chains. The methodological sequence follows the 4-S approach: Screening, Sampling, Survey and Synthesis, concluding with the elaboration of a Final Report. The methodology is available as an e-learning course in the Resources page in English, French and Spanish.
Initiated in 2008, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), the German Ministry of Food, and the European Union’s Joint Research Centre APHLIS is funded by the European Community. A model used by APHLIS is based on previous data to estimate losses. The calculator algorithm uses two datasets, the post-harvest loss profiles and seasonal production data. APHLIS is not intended to be a statistical approach, the downloadable loss calculator enables practitioners to change the default values to those that are specific to the situation of interest so that loss estimates can be obtained at a chosen geographical scale.
The German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ) developed a methodology to rapidly assess value chains, but does not intend to provide sufficient data for evidence-based policy. The tool helps identify loss hot spots that can be followed up by in-depth analyses. The toolset has been tested on the white rice value chain in Nigeria
Launched in 2013, the food loss and waste protocol and standard is a multi-stakeholder effort, convened by the World Resources Institute, to provide countries companies and other organizations guidance on practical and consistent quantification of food loss and waste. Core partners include FAO, UNEP, the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the Consumer Goods Forum, the European Union project FUSIONS, and Waste and Resources Action Programme.
Food Loss Measurement Resources
News
#123 Food Loss and Waste Pledge for Climate Action
09/12/2022
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is pleased to launch a call for governments, companies, institutions and individuals...
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Event
4th All Africa Postharvest Congress and Exhibition
19/02/2023 - 22/02/2023
Hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the congress is being organized by the AUC...