SDG 12.3 - Food Loss and Food Waste: A Once in a Generation Opportunity

A webinar co-organized by IFPRI, Embassy of Denmark, World Resource Institute, Champions 12.3; and with the collaboration of the World Food Forum

The military invasion in Ukraine has caused fresh risks to global food security in a context of already sharp increases in food prices. Shortages for key staples, like wheat and vegetable oils, may emerge as the conflict continues to escalate, putting further upward pressure on food prices and could cause millions more people to live in hunger. Such grave consequences only increase the importance of addressing food loss and waste.

Every year about a third of all food produced is either lost during production, distribution, and processing or wasted at the retail and consumer level. With 811 million people facing hunger in 2020, this food loss and waste is egregious. Food loss and waste also has significant negative environmental impacts, accounting for almost 10 percent of global GHG emissions as well as a wasteful use of a quarter of the world’s freshwater resources and of farmland that exceeds the size of China. Sustainable Development Goal target 12.3 calls for halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses by 2030.

The 2021 UN Food Systems Summit highlighted the importance of reducing food loss and waste to achieve a sustainable food system and deliver on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  But what are effective solutions for a livable planet and to guarantee sufficient and healthy food for future generations? What needs to change in production processes? What can and should consumers do? How can all generations get involved?

At this seminar, young changemakers associated with the World Food Forum will pose questions and engage in a dialogue with a panel of leaders from the farm, business, and policy communities to push forward the global discussion of workable solutions. 

You can access the event HERE.