Reducing food loss and waste is gaining recognition as one of the most effective solutions to address both climate change and food insecurity. During London Climate Action Week earlier this year, a coalition of leading international organisations called on the COP31 Presidency to make food loss and waste reduction a global climate priority by 2030.
The coalition, comprising the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, Ambition Loop, The Global FoodBanking Network, ReFED, World Resources Institute, WRAP and WWF, is advocating for three key actions: recognising food loss and waste reduction as a critical climate solution, translating global commitments into practical national action through evidence based policies and implementation plans, and mobilising the finance needed to accelerate progress on the ground.
The call comes at a critical time. Globally, reducing food loss and waste has the potential to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions while improving food security and making better use of the resources already invested in producing food. In South Africa, more than 10 million tonnes of food are lost or wasted every year, even as millions of people continue to experience food insecurity.
As a member of The Global FoodBanking Network, FoodForward SA is proud to contribute to this growing global movement. Our foodbanking model demonstrates that practical, scalable solutions already exist. In the past financial year alone, FoodForward SA recovered and redistributed 20,500 tonnes of edible surplus food, providing more than 82 million meals through a network of 2,200 Beneficiary Organisations that support 862,820 people every day.
The environmental impact is equally significant. Every tonne of surplus food recovered prevents approximately 5.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, with FoodForward SA helping to avoid an estimated 491,986 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. These results demonstrate that foodbanking is not only an effective response to food insecurity, but also a practical climate action solution.
FoodForward SA’s Managing Director, Andy Du Plessis, recently participated in an international webinar exploring how countries and cities can move from commitment to implementation. The discussion brought together experts and practitioners to share successes, challenges and practical lessons that can help accelerate food loss and waste reduction around the world.
As the world looks towards 2030, collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society will be essential to turning ambition into measurable impact. We are encouraged to see global momentum building behind this agenda and remain committed to playing our part in creating a more food secure and sustainable future.
Learn more about the global movement to reduce food loss and waste.
Watch the webinar, Moving from Commitment to Action on Food Loss and Waste Reduction, featuring Andy Du Plessis alongside global experts as they explore practical strategies, challenges and successes in advancing food loss and waste reduction at city and national level.
