Report on Food Waste and Climate Action in Brazil: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

At COP30 in Brazil, while fossil fuels remain a primary focus, a critical yet often overlooked climate challenge—food waste—has gained significant attention. Food waste contributes approximately 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and results in the loss of up to 55 million tons of food annually in Brazil. This report highlights the importance of addressing food waste within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Food Waste as a Climate Challenge

1. Scope of Food Waste in Brazil
   • Brazil produces an estimated 20 to 55 million tons of food waste annually, representing nearly 30% of all food produced for human consumption.
   • Major sources of waste occur during land production (crops and harvest), post-harvest handling, transportation, manufacturing, and supply chains.
   • Household food waste accounts for only 13.5% of total losses.
2. Environmental Impact
   • Food waste contributes 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 18-28% of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
   • Agriculture accounts for over 27% of Brazil’s GHG emissions, with deforestation and land-use changes contributing 46.2%.

SDG Alignment and Policy Initiatives

Brazil’s efforts to reduce food waste align with multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Addressing food insecurity affecting 64 million Brazilians, including 8.7 million experiencing hunger.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting sustainable food systems and reducing food loss across the supply chain.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – Mitigating climate change by reducing methane emissions from organic waste.

Key policy actions include:

1. Intersectoral Strategy to Reduce Food Losses and Waste
   • Launched by the Ministry of Social Development, this strategy promotes coordinated actions across public and private sectors.
   • Focuses on preventing food loss from production to consumption while integrating a strong climate component.
2. Brazilian Food Banks Network
   • Implemented by Decree nº 12.512/2025 to strengthen food banks through intersectoral coordination.
   • Aims to reduce food waste and guarantee the human right to adequate and healthy food.
3. International Commitments
   • Endorsed the Reducing Methane Emissions from Organic Waste Declaration at COP29.
   • Expected to prioritize food waste prevention at COP30 discussions.

Role of Food Banks in Sustainable Food Systems

Food banks are pivotal in reducing food waste and supporting vulnerable populations, contributing directly to SDG 2 and SDG 12:

• Historical and Current Impact
  • Brazil’s food banks have operated since the 1990s, redistributing food that would otherwise be wasted.
  • Sesc Mesa Brasil, the largest private food bank network in Latin America, rescued approximately 57,100 tons of food in 2024.
  • The NGO Banco de Alimentos distributed over 2,000 tons of food in 2024, benefiting 95,000 people.
• Legal Framework
  • Law n. 14016/2020 authorizes safe food donation, protecting donors from liability and encouraging food redistribution.
• Global Collaboration
  • Partnership with the Global FoodBanking Network supports policy development and capacity building.
  • Contributed to the Global Atlas of Food Donation Policy to strengthen food donation laws worldwide.

Awareness and Education

Raising public awareness is critical to achieving SDG 12 and SDG 13:

• There is a general lack of consciousness about the environmental impact of food waste among the Brazilian population.
• Advocates call for national and global awareness campaigns, including integration of food waste education in schools.
• Government-led initiatives are encouraged to promote responsible consumption and reduce household food waste.

Food Systems and Sustainable Consumption at COP30

In alignment with SDG 12 and SDG 13, COP30 will incorporate sustainable food systems into its agenda:

• Discussions will emphasize reducing food waste as a climate action priority.
• Meals served at the conference will feature inputs from family farming, promoting healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly food.
• The event aims to demonstrate practical implementation of climate commitments through sustainable food practices.

Conclusion

Brazil’s approach to tackling food waste at COP30 highlights the intersection of climate action, hunger eradication, and sustainable consumption, directly supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Through coordinated strategies, strengthened food bank networks, legal reforms, and public awareness, Brazil aims to reduce food loss and waste, mitigate climate change impacts, and improve food security for millions. The outcomes of COP30 are expected to reinforce these efforts and promote global implementation of sustainable food systems.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses food insecurity in Brazil, with millions suffering from hunger and food insecurity, and highlights efforts to reduce food waste to improve food availability.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The focus on reducing food waste throughout the food supply chain directly relates to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – Food waste contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, and the article emphasizes the climate impact of food systems and the COP30 agenda.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article mentions deforestation and land use changes linked to agribusiness, which are major contributors to emissions and environmental degradation.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights collaborations between government, civil society, NGOs, and international networks to address food waste and hunger.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • 2.1 – End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
   • 2.4 – Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
2. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.3 – By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.
3. SDG 13 Targets:
   • 13.2 – Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
4. SDG 15 Targets:
   • 15.2 – Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, and restore degraded forests.
5. SDG 17 Targets:
   • 17.17 – Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Food Waste Quantities:
   • Tonnes of food wasted annually in Brazil (20 to 55 million tons).
   • Percentage of food lost at different stages of the food chain (e.g., 13.5% lost at household level).
   • Food rescued by food banks (e.g., 512 thousand tons worldwide in 2024, with a target to reach 13 million tons by 2030).
2. Food Insecurity and Hunger Statistics:
   • Number of people suffering from hunger (8.7 million) and food insecurity (64 million) in Brazil.
3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
   • Percentage of emissions from food waste (8-10% globally) and methane emissions from organic waste (18-28%).
   • Emissions from agriculture (27%) and deforestation (46.2%) in Brazil.
4. Legislative and Policy Implementation:
   • Enactment of laws such as Law n. 14016/2020 and Decree nº 12.512/2025 to regulate food donation and food bank networks.
   • Implementation of the Intersectoral Strategy to Reduce Food Losses and Waste in Brazil.
5. Awareness and Education Efforts:
   • Campaigns and educational programs to raise awareness about food waste impacts.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: fairplanet.org