‘Real reductions’: Global Food Pact Network confirms it has slashed food waste and emissions – Business Green

Global Report on Food Waste Reduction Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Key Findings from the Food Pact Network Global Report

The inaugural global report from the Food Pact Network provides a comprehensive analysis of campaigns aimed at reducing food waste. The findings indicate a direct correlation between these initiatives and positive environmental outcomes, aligning with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Campaigns targeting food waste demonstrate significant efficacy on a global scale.
• Tangible reductions in both the volume of food waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions have been officially recorded.
• The success of these programs provides a scalable model for achieving critical targets within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Direct Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The report’s conclusions highlight the instrumental role of food waste reduction in advancing several SDGs. The documented success of these campaigns provides a clear pathway for nations to meet their commitments.

1. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   The initiatives directly address Target 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by 2030. The report confirms that focused campaigns are a primary driver for achieving this objective.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   By achieving real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, these efforts make a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation. Reducing food waste, particularly in landfills where it generates methane, is a critical strategy for climate action as outlined in SDG 13.

3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   Minimizing food waste enhances the efficiency of the food supply chain, thereby improving food security and availability. This progress is fundamental to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to nutritious food for all.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article’s central theme is tackling “food waste,” which is a primary focus of SDG 12. The goal aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article explicitly mentions that reducing food waste leads to “reductions in… greenhouse gas emissions.” This directly connects the issue to climate change mitigation efforts, which is the core of SDG 13.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Although not explicitly mentioned, reducing food waste is intrinsically linked to improving food security and availability. By wasting less food, more is available for consumption, contributing to the overarching goal of ending hunger.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 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, including post-harvest losses.” The article’s focus on “campaigns to tackle food waste” and achieving “real reductions in food waste” directly addresses this target.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The “campaigns” mentioned in the article represent a type of measure or strategy being implemented to achieve environmental goals, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which aligns with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Indicator 12.3.1 (b) Food waste index: The article’s reference to “real reductions in food waste” implies that the amount of food waste is being measured and tracked over time. The Food Waste Index is the specific indicator used to monitor progress on this front.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Implied Indicator – Total greenhouse gas emissions: The article states that the campaigns result in “reductions in… greenhouse gas emissions.” This implies that the volume of these emissions is being measured as a key performance indicator of the campaigns’ success, which is a fundamental metric for tracking progress on climate action.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: businessgreen.com