Multi-cobenefit of Redcution Measure in Food Loss and Waste

Abstract

 Food waste and loss reduction is set as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which we need to tackle globally. Food waste reduction itself is meaningful for waste reduction, and furthermore it can change the social, economic and environmental situation. However, there are no studies that are assessed within the context of SDGs. In this study, here we show that global multi-cobenefit of food waste reduction to the societal, economic and evnrionemnetal aspects by using an integrated assessment model (AIM/CGE; Asia-Pacific Integrated Model / Computable General Equilibrium). We assessed greenhousegas (GHG) emissions, land-use change, and the number of population at risk of hunger. We find that the food reduction goal in SDG halving the food waste generated by consumption would bring multi-facet benefit to the society and environment and lead 5.9% and 4.7% reduction in GHG emissions and number of population at risk of hunger, respectively. Meanwhile, we also found that these side effects are limited to achieve individual goals (e.g. zero hunger) which would imply that food waste reduction should be interpreted as one of the countermeasures that society should tackle with.