Defining the Domain

- Jointly released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the Food Waste Index Report 2024 throws light on the crucial issue of food waste and loss.

- WRAP is a key player in climate action, striving to mitigate climate change impacts for a sustainable future.

- The report crucially distinguishes between "food waste," which refers to food removed from the human supply chain, and "food loss," encompassing edible quantities lost in the production and supply processes.

The Food Waste Index Ancestry and Objective

- The Food Waste Index Report aims to measure country-level progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030.

- The first edition was released in 2021, while the latest report enhances data sets and promotes multi-stakeholder collaboration via partnerships.

Key Findings - The Extent of Global Food Waste

- The 2022 data reveals 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted worldwide, constituting about a fifth of available food.

- Additionally, the FAO estimates that 13% of global food was lost in the supply chain.

- The globe’s lost and wasted food is responsible for about 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, nearly five times the total emissions from the aviation sector.

Urban-Rural and International Disparities and the Impact of Temperature

- The 2021 and 2024 reports indicate narrowing disparities in per capita household food waste across various income groups.

- Higher food waste in hotter countries might be due to increased consumption of fresh foods with substantial inedible parts and inadequate cold chain management.

- Variations in food waste between urban and rural populations exist in middle-income countries, typically with rural areas wasting less.

Tracking Progress Challenges and the Variance in Data

- Many low and middle-income countries, including India and Indonesia, lack adequate systems for tracking progress on SDG 12.3, particularly in retail and food services.

- Only four G-20 countries (Australia, Japan, UK, USA) and the European Union currently have effective food waste estimation systems to track progress towards 2030.

Report Recommendations

- The report urges G-20 countries to lead international cooperation and policy development to achieve SDG 12.3.

- Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are recommended for reducing food waste, facilitating collaboration among governments, regional, and industry groups.

- It suggests the universal adoption of the Food Waste Index for consistent food waste measurement, baseline establishment, and tracking of progress towards SDG 12.3.

- Conducting national food waste studies is suggested for countries such as India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Mexico to address data variance and food waste comprehensively.

Existing Measures and Provisions for Food Loss and Waste in India

- Despite no explicit right to food in the Indian Constitution, a derived right to adequate food and necessities is understood from the fundamental right to life under Article 21.

- The Food Corporation of India (FCI) maintains buffer foodgrain stocks procured at minimum support price (MSP).

- The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) is another significant stride towards ensuring food security in India, extending its coverage to 75% rural and 50% urban population.

Considering the compelling insights shared in the report, the promotion of multi-stakeholder cooperation, innovative solutions, and comprehensive data collection is pivotal to meeting the ambitious target of halving global food waste by 2030.