Food waste and loss costs the global economy USD 940 billion per year and generates around 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. It consumes around a quarter of the water used in agriculture each year.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 aims to tackle the problem by halving per capita food waste and reducing food losses by 2030. Momentum is building towards the target, but greater collective action is needed to achieve it, according to Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke.
“I am convinced that by working together, we can accelerate efforts and develop effective solutions to help reduce food loss and waste globally,” he said.
Mr Bulcke is a member of the Champions 12.3 coalition. This brings together CEOs, politicians, leaders from global institutions and civil society to help achieve Target 12.3.
A new report from the coalition has assessed the world’s progress towards the target. It concludes that nations, cities and companies need to work harder, and more closely together, to achieve it.
Nestlé’s actions to reduce food waste and loss include a commitment to sending zero waste for disposal at all its sites and halving food waste across its operations.