SAVE FOOD for a Better Climate – Converting the Food Loss and Waste into Climate Action
A new FAO publication probing the linkages between Food Loss and Waste (FLW) and climate change was recently launched at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 23) on Friday, 10 November in Bonn, Germany. ‘SAVE FOOD for a better climate – Converting the food loss and waste challenge into climate action’ aims to inform on the interrelationship between food loss and waste and climate change. In the publication, FAO discusses recent actions and global frameworks for addressing climate change, particularly how they have been incorporated into national priorities and targets. In addition to climate financing and investment, climate technology options are examined. FAO also identifies factors linked to food loss and waste reduction as part of the collective effort to improve climate action vis-à-vis the sustainable development agenda.
In developing countries, and among the poor globally, food losses weaken the adaptive capacities of vulnerable populations to cope with climate change, through decreased food availability and income. If not addressed, the levels of food losses could worsen amid a more frequent, intense and variable climate. Furthermore, as a growing number of nations obtain middle-income status and household food consumption patterns change, per capita food waste at the consumption level is expected to increase. As a result, governments and all sectors of society must actively consider FLW reduction a key priority for sustainably reducing GHG emissions.
Read the report here.