Global Food Waste Crisis
The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 reveals that in 2022, the world wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food, nearly 20% of all food available to consumers.
India is one of the top contributors, with a significant amount of food wasted despite widespread hunger, affecting over 20 crore Indians.
Wasting food has social, environmental, and economic consequences, including climate change and a loss of resources.
Wastage vs. Loss
Food wastage refers to food discarded by consumers, retailers, and restaurants, including both edible and inedible parts.
Food loss happens earlier in the supply chain due to poor storage, transport issues, and handling mistakes.
India’s food waste mainly results from over-purchasing, poor meal planning, limited storage, and cultural habits like cooking excess food for celebrations.
While per capita waste in India is lower than countries like the U.S., the large population means it still results in a massive total volume of food waste.
Environmental Impact
Food production is resource-intensive, using large amounts of land, water, and energy. Wasting food also wastes these resources.
In India, food waste accounts for 10%-12% of municipal waste and contributes to methane emissions from landfills, a potent greenhouse gas.
Food waste globally generates 8%-10% of annual greenhouse gas emissions, making it one of the largest contributors to climate change.
Social Injustice and Hunger
Despite being a major food producer, India faces significant food insecurity due to inefficiencies in the supply chain, leaving millions hungry.
Food waste hinders efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and reducing waste at the consumer level (SDG 12.3).
Climate change worsens food insecurity in India through rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and extreme weather events like floods and droughts.
Actions Needed
Individuals can help reduce food waste by planning meals, shopping smartly, storing food properly, using leftovers creatively, and donating surplus food.
Government should invest in better cold storage, transportation infrastructure, and policies supporting food redistribution.
Businesses must adopt sustainable practices like redistributing unsold food and improving supply chain management.
Educational institutions can raise awareness on responsible consumption, and policymakers should support food redistribution initiatives like India’s "Save Food Share Food" program.
Path Forward
Addressing food waste is essential for reducing carbon footprints, ensuring food security, and fighting social inequality.
Collaborating across governments, businesses, and individuals will help create a system that minimizes food waste, optimizes resources, and ensures no one goes hungry.
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