Latest news with #12.3
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Jagdambika Pal: Minimize food wastage for the sake of our planet and its people
Food loss and waste is a global concern that represents not just economic loss, but also the environmental and food security crisis. To put it into perspective, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, surpassing the US and China. Food waste accounts for nearly 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, which is nearly three times the total emissions from the aviation sector. Decaying food emits methane, a greenhouse gas about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Food production and its inputs emit climate-harming gases too. Paradoxically, while nearly 20% of all food produced is wasted or lost, around 783 million people are grappling with hunger and about 150 million children under the age of five are suffering from stunted growth due to lack of proper nutrition. Also Read: Andy Mukherjee: Watch out for food and fuel volatility in India-US trade talks Tackling food loss and waste is essential for us to address food and nutritional security challenges and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The pressing need to tackle the problem is articulated in India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which sets an ambitious target of reducing per capita global food waste at the retail and consumption levels and significantly cutting food loss along supply chains by 2030. As estimated, even if just a quarter of all the food binned by households globally is edible, the equivalent of 1 billion meals of edible food is being wasted every single day by homes worldwide. The United Nations Environment Programme's Food Waste Index Report 2024 states that up to 17% of food wastage occurs between the retail and consumption levels. This presents substantial opportunities for targeted intervention at these points, such as sustainable packaging solutions that may prolong the shelf-life of food, thereby providing a practical solution to the issue. We also need to improve infrastructure and include practices to preserve nutritional value and reduce wastage. Also Read: Food security: Let clean-tech innovation lead the way While only 21 countries had included food loss or waste reduction in their national climate plans (or Nationally Determined Contributions) by 2022, India has taken great strides to mitigate the same through coordinated measures at every stage of the supply chain by implementing schemes like the PM Kisan Sampada Yojana and production-linked incentive scheme for the food processing industry. These government programmes focus on modernizing infrastructure, adopting advanced preservation and packaging technologies, reducing wastage and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Programmes for the creation of backward and forward linkages and the creation of food processing capacities have been designed to drive infrastructural improvements that reduce spoilage and strengthen farm-to-market supply chains. Additionally, the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme provides fiscal support for upgradations with the aim of preserving nutritional value, increasing shelf life and raising food quality. Also Read: Rice fortification can help tackle our problem of hidden hunger While addressing the crisis we face requires a collaborative approach in favour of a circular economy that integrates sustainable methods in all operations, it is equally important to ensure that food reaches consumers more efficiently. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, up to 30-40% of food production in developing regions is lost before it even reaches the market, largely because of gaps in post-harvest storage, processing and transportation. Food processing capabilities must be upgraded for food safety and shelf-life extension, among other objectives. Improved storage facilities and eco-friendly packaging are crucial to this endeavour, even as innovative means of food preservation need to be explored. Harnessing the potential of sustainable solutions like aseptic packaging with recyclable and eco-friendly materials would help reduce the ecological footprint of the processed food industry. Generating awareness among consumers of responsible and eco-friendly practices through public-private partnerships and public campaigns can be of help in this exercise. Successfully addressing the crisis of food loss and waste needs dedicated efforts by the entire ecosystem of producers, suppliers and consumers. Food loss and waste must be minimized across the supply chain from end to end. By doing so, countries and communities will benefit from increased food security, better access to healthy diets and reduced malnutrition, while decreasing their greenhouse gas footprints. The author is a member of the Lok Sabha.
Gulf Today
07-05-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
UAE launches first National Food Loss, Waste Baseline Study
ne'ma- the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative- has launched the country's first National Baseline Study to measure actual food loss and waste. This first-of-its-kind study, which involves 3,000 participants, marks a pivotal milestone in national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. The pioneering 18-month study will measure actual food loss and waste across the entire food value chain, through the participation of households, businesses, and public sector entities, across all seven Emirates. The study's findings will be unveiled by ne'ma during the first half of 2026. Insights from the study will be used to establish national food loss and food waste indices and inform evidence-based intervention strategies. The study also lays the foundation for systemic change and strengthens national efforts to ensure food security and sustainability. The study is the result of a coordinated national effort, bringing together strategic partners including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Aldar, with additional support from the local municipalities and authorities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistics centres across the UAE. Following extensive preparation and stakeholder engagement since September 2024, the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is now underway. Spanning 18 months, this nationwide effort invites the active participation of households and the private and public sectors to help identify where food loss and waste occur the most and why, so the right interventions can be designed to tackle the issue. A key milestone in this journey will take place during September 2025, in a focused two-week data collection field survey coupled with actual measurement of food waste at the household level. Participants across all seven Emirates will take part in shaping a more sustainable future by contributing valuable insights & data on how food is lost and wasted. The data gathered will be rigorously analysed to develop national food loss and waste indices, which will create a clear baseline that reflects where the UAE stands today so that we can monitor our food loss and waste reduction progress. Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne'ma Committee Secretary General, said, "Tackling food loss and waste requires national collaboration, and alignment to create a unified approach and methodology for measuring actual food waste across the supply chain. "Through the UAE's first National Baseline Study, ne'ma is engaging public, private sector, and community members in building an accurate, data-driven picture of where and how food is lost or wasted. This will enable the UAE to track progress against reduction targets.' "The evidence-based solutions will empower households and businesses to adopt best practices, support systemic solutions across the value chain, and drive the shift toward a more sustainable, circular economy. The Baseline Study supports the UAE in building capacity so that we can achieve the target of halving food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. We are thrilled to see the strong engagement and participation of the private and public sectors in the study,' Al Nuwais concluded. Dr Essam Sharaf Al Hashmi, Director of the Office of Special Studies, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), affirmed that the launch of this study marks a key milestone in strengthening community awareness of the importance of reducing food loss and waste. He said, "In line with its pivotal role in promoting food sustainability, ADAFSA is leading dedicated efforts to highlight the challenges of food loss and waste. In collaboration with ne'ma, we are uniting households, the private sector, and government entities to achieve a shared goal-protecting vital resources and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future for all. This initiative reflects our strong commitment to raising awareness and engaging all stakeholders in addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by food loss and waste.' Manal Obaid Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank, representing Dubai Municipality at the launch, said, "Local leadership is essential to achieving national sustainability goals. "Dubai Municipality is committed to driving change at the community level, and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study provides the knowledge and tools needed to turn ambition into measurable action across all seven Emirates. This effort aligns with the municipality's efforts to enhance waste management, reduce landfill use, and build smarter, more sustainable cities that support the UAE's 2030 goals.' Abdulwahid Jumaa Freish, Executive Director of Communication and Awareness, Tadweer Group, said, "Tadweer Group is proud to support ne'ma and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, which unites stakeholders across the food value chain to better understand the scale and impact of food loss and waste. This pioneering initiative complements our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and driving circular economy solutions. By leveraging the insights from this study, we can strengthen our strategies to divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and unlock new opportunities for reuse, recovery, and resource efficiency across the nation." Salwa Al Maflahi, Group Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach, Aldar Properties, said, "Aldar recognises the importance of data to support meaningful action and change. Since 2023, we have been working closely with Tadweer and ne'ma to build infrastructure and solutions to tackle all forms of waste, including food waste, with a shared ambition to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills. Food waste is a complex challenge that requires long-term behavioural change, something Aldar and ne'ma are committed to addressing. By contributing to the UAE's Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, we are helping to generate critical insights that will empower communities across the UAE to take data-informed action and support the country in reaching its 2030 food loss and waste reduction targets.' The UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study's final report will be shared nationally and internationally, contributing to global knowledge sharing on food loss and waste reduction. In doing so, the UAE reinforces its leadership in advancing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting sustainable food systems nationally and worldwide. WAM
Al Etihad
07-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE launches first National Food Loss, Waste Baseline Study
7 May 2025 17:27 ABU DHABI (WAM) ne'ma- the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative- has launched the country's first National Baseline Study to measure actual food loss and first-of-its-kind study, which involves 3,000 participants, marks a pivotal milestone in national efforts to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. The pioneering 18-month study will measure actual food loss and waste across the entire food value chain, through the participation of households, businesses, and public sector entities, across all seven Emirates. The study's findings will be unveiled by ne'ma during the first half of from the study will be used to establish national food loss and food waste indices and inform evidence-based intervention strategies. The study also lays the foundation for systemic change and strengthens national efforts to ensure food security and study is the result of a coordinated national effort, bringing together strategic partners including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Tadweer Group, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA), and Aldar, with additional support from the local municipalities and authorities, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) and local statistics centres across the extensive preparation and stakeholder engagement since September 2024, the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study is now underway. Spanning 18 months, this nationwide effort invites the active participation of households and the private and public sectors to help identify where food loss and waste occur the most and why, so the right interventions can be designed to tackle the issue.A key milestone in this journey will take place during September 2025, in a focused two-week data collection field survey coupled with actual measurement of food waste at the household across all seven Emirates will take part in shaping a more sustainable future by contributing valuable insights & data on how food is lost and data gathered will be rigorously analysed to develop national food loss and waste indices, which will create a clear baseline that reflects where the UAE stands today so that we can monitor our food loss and waste reduction Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and ne'ma Committee Secretary General, Khuloud Hassan Al Nuwais, said, 'Tackling food loss and waste requires national collaboration, and alignment to create a unified approach and methodology for measuring actual food waste across the supply chain. Through the UAE's first National Baseline Study, ne'ma is engaging public, private sector, and community members in building an accurate, data-driven picture of where and how food is lost or wasted. This will enable the UAE to track progress against reduction targets.''The evidence-based solutions will empower households and businesses to adopt best practices, support systemic solutions across the value chain, and drive the shift toward a more sustainable, circular economy. The Baseline Study supports the UAE in building capacity so that we can achieve the target of halving food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. We are thrilled to see the strong engagement and participation of the private and public sectors in the study,' Al Nuwais of the Office of Special Studies, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Dr. Essam Sharaf Al Hashmi, affirmed that the launch of this study marks a key milestone in strengthening community awareness of the importance of reducing food loss and waste. He said, 'In line with its pivotal role in promoting food sustainability, ADAFSA is leading dedicated efforts to highlight the challenges of food loss and waste. In collaboration with ne'ma, we are uniting households, the private sector, and government entities to achieve a shared goal—protecting vital resources and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future for all. This initiative reflects our strong commitment to raising awareness and engaging all stakeholders in addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by food loss and waste.'Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank, Manal Obaid Yaroof, representing Dubai Municipality at the launch, said, 'Local leadership is essential to achieving national sustainability goals. Dubai Municipality is committed to driving change at the community level, and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study provides the knowledge and tools needed to turn ambition into measurable action across all seven Emirates. This effort aligns with the municipality's efforts to enhance waste management, reduce landfill use, and build smarter, more sustainable cities that support the UAE's 2030 goals.'Abdulwahid Jumaa Freish, Executive Director of Communication and Awareness, Tadweer Group, said, 'Tadweer Group is proud to support ne'ma and the UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, which unites stakeholders across the food value chain to better understand the scale and impact of food loss and waste. This pioneering initiative complements our commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and driving circular economy solutions. By leveraging the insights from this study, we can strengthen our strategies to divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and unlock new opportunities for reuse, recovery, and resource efficiency across the nation."Group Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach, Aldar Properties, Salwa Al Maflahi, said, 'Aldar recognises the importance of data to support meaningful action and change. Since 2023, we have been working closely with Tadweer and ne'ma to build infrastructure and solutions to tackle all forms of waste, including food waste, with a shared ambition to divert 90 percent of waste from landfills. Food waste is a complex challenge that requires long-term behavioural change, something Aldar and ne'ma are committed to addressing. By contributing to the UAE's Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study, we are helping generate critical insights that will empower communities across the UAE to take data-informed action and support the country in reaching its 2030 food loss and waste reduction targets.'The UAE Food Loss and Waste Baseline Study's final report will be shared nationally and internationally, contributing to global knowledge sharing on food loss and waste reduction. In doing so, the UAE reinforces its leadership in advancing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promoting sustainable food systems nationally and worldwide.
