Food Loss and Waste: A
global challenge
SAVE FOOD CONGRESS 2014
James Lomax
UNEP Agri-food Programme Officer
3°C or more
60%
of ecosystems are now
damaged or being used
unsustainably
rise in temperature by the
end of the century, due to
doubling of GHG emissions
by 2050 , under BAU.
2 to 3
billion
additional middle class
consumers by 2030
140 billion
tonnes
of global extraction of natural resources per
year if consumption stays at current
developed country rates
2
Beyond the Earth Limits
Today humanity uses
the equivalent of 1.5
planets.
Moderate UN
scenarios suggest that
if current population
and consumption
trends continue, by
the 2030s, we will
need the equivalent
of two Earths.
We have only one!
Source: Global Footprint Network, 2012
Magnitude of Food Loss and Waste
•
Roughly 1/3 of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year about 1.3 billion tonnes - gets lost or wasted.
•
Food losses and waste amount to roughly US$ 680 billion in industrialized countries
and US$ 310 billion in developing countries.
•
Food waste:
– 24% of global food supply by energy content (kcal)
– 32% of global food supply by weight
•
Global food production uses 25% of all habitable land and is responsible for 70% of
fresh water consumption, 80% of deforestation, and 30% of greenhouse gas
emissions. It is the largest single driver of biodiversity loss and land-use change.
World of Waste
•
•
•
US: around 40 % of all food goes to waste each year. The cost is estimated
at $195 billion per year (including $40 billion for households).[source:
NDRC]
The food currently wasted in Europe could feed 200 million people.
Research in 2008 found that Mexico City produces 5,100 tons of organic
waste daily.
International actions and processes relevant for
food loss and waste
The Campaign: Think.Eat.Save.
• Campaign of the Save Food Initiative
• A partnership between UNEP, FAO and Messe Düsseldorf, and in support of the UN
Secretary-General’s Zero Hunger Challenge
•Seeks to:
 galvanize widespread global, regional and national actions
 catalyze more sectors of society to be aware and to act, including through
exchange of inspiring ideas and projects between those players already involved
and new ones that are likely to come on board.
Please join us to Think Eat Save!
Visit: www.thinkeatsave.org
Thank you
Please join us to Think Eat Save!
Visit: www.thinkeatsave.org
Thank you