Last updated: September 29, 2022, 09:10 IST
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is of great importance due to the increasing food insecurity around the world.
The theme of this year’s International Day of Food Loss and Waste Awareness is: ‘Stop Food Loss and Waste! For people and planet’
September 29 is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW). This day is of great importance because of the increasing food insecurity around the world. Domestic food price inflation remains high in a number of leading countries for various reasons. In addition, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially increased food insecurity in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
According to the World Food Programme, an additional 96 million people will face acute food insecurity in 54 countries of the International Development Association (IDA) in 2020. The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste aims to spark the debate on reducing food loss and waste (FLW) to combat climate change. By minimizing food loss and waste, we can support food security.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2022: Theme
The theme of this year’s International Day of Food Loss and Waste Awareness is: ‘Stop Food Loss and Waste! For people and planet.’
International Day of Food Loss and Waste Awareness: History
On December 19, 2019, the UN General Assembly declared September 29 as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The UNGA recognized that the celebration of International Day would make an important contribution to raising awareness about reducing food loss and waste. The Food and Nutrition Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) are working together to facilitate the celebration of this day.
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste: Meaning
This day clearly calls for public and private entities to work together to minimize food loss and waste. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, an estimated 14 percent of the world’s food is lost between harvest and retail. In addition, an estimated 17 percent is wasted at the retail and consumption level.
This food loss and waste is responsible for 8-10 percent of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Governments around the world must work together and find a solution to combat food loss and waste. It is worth noting that if greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, extreme weather events such as droughts and floods will become more frequent.
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