How does food waste contribute to global emissions?

Food waste contributes to global emissions through the various stages of food production and consumption chain, which in turn contribute to climate change. The food industry is responsible for about 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, where agriculture has caused 73% of all deforestation and land conversion. Shockingly 1/3 of all food produced is wasted, either in the supply chain or thrown away, yet 828 million people regularly experience hunger every day, that’s about 10% of the world’s population.

Here are some key ways in which food waste contributes to global emissions:

1. Production Phase:

Land Use Change: The conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural land releases stored carbon and reduces the land’s ability to sequester carbon.

Deforestation: Clearing land for agriculture, often accompanied by burning, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

2. Transportation and Distribution:

Energy Consumption: The transportation of food products over long distances requires energy, typically derived from fossil fuels, leading to the emission of greenhouse gases.

Refrigeration: The need for refrigeration during transportation and storage contributes to energy consumption and emissions.

3. Processing and Packaging:

Energy Use: Processing and packaging of food products involve energy-intensive activities, leading to emissions.

4. Consumption and Disposal:

Methane Emissions from Landfills: When food waste ends up in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.

Wastewater Treatment: Food waste in wastewater treatment systems can produce methane and nitrous oxide emissions.

5. Loss of Embedded Energy:

When food is wasted, all the energy that went into producing, processing, and transporting it is also wasted.

Next week we’ll give some tips on how to reduce food waste!