Food waste must be a focal part of the climate solution

To stop feeding climate change, we need to tackle food waste

2 minutes read

Since 2020, we’ve seen challenges to our food systems only to be rivalled by the rations in World War II. For us consumers, the pandemic challenged us to make the most of what we have and consider what we waste. You only have to look at our google search history to see this, with searches for ‘can I freeze eggs in their shell’ increasing by 5,500% in the first month of the UK lockdown. And if you wondering, you can (and should) freeze eggs if you have surplus, but just not inside their shells.

IT’S BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR CLIMATE ACTION

We can be immensely proud of all we have achieved to get through this uncertain period and the innovative pivots suppliers have made to meet consumer demand, but it has highlighted many inefficiencies and inadequacies in our food systems.

The food industry is the single largest global emitter of greenhouse gases, accountable for to 1/3 of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Food production is not only the single largest emitter, but also the main culprit to deforestation, biodiversity, soil erosion and water shortages globally.

From the National Food strategy release this summer, the UN Food Summit in NYC and COP26 uniting world leaders to tackle how we limit warming to 1.5 degrees, it’s a big year for the climate, and now is a crucial time for our food systems be discussed more seriously on the big stage too.

SO WHY IS OUR FOOD SYSTEM NOT A FOCAL TOPIC IN OUR PLANS TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING?

Eating Better, an alliance of organisations working to change the way meat and dairy is produced and consumed in the UK, stated that, “experts agree that net zero is unachievable without a transformation in what we eat, how we farm, and how much food we waste.”

But despite this, the reaction to Henry Dimbleby’s calls for mandatory reporting on healthy sales, food waste, and much more, received an outstanding positive response from business, but unfortunately a response of lacklustre from the Government.

With food waste accounting for a whopping 8-10% of out greenhouse gas emissions, we must act the enormous potential to reduce our emissions by championing anti-food waste policies. We’ll only be able to make the seismic change needed to reform our food system if both business and government join together.

Think it’s time for action? Us too.

The government has agreed to end our country’s contribution to climate change, but with this bold statement, our food systems must be focal in our plans to get there. We like to think we know a thing or two about mitigating food waste, so we’ve outlined the steps we think the government should take to reform our food system:

Require mandatory reporting on food waste at every stage of the supply chain so we have accurate data on losses and can thereby address the cause of waste.
Educate people of the impact that food waste has on the environment. Over two-thirds of people in the UK are unaware of the clear link between food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Requiring all edible food surplus to be offered first to humans, particularly those who cannot afford to feed themselves, and secondly to livestock as feed.
Compost inedible food waste, or use it to create energy, rather than sending to landfill.

Think it’s time for action? Head to the main page to send our template letter to your MP about why our food systems should take centre stage in climate mitigation plans.