Food - One World, Zero Waste? The Circular Economy Explained

26/10/2022 36 min
Food - One World, Zero Waste? The Circular Economy Explained

Listen "Food - One World, Zero Waste? The Circular Economy Explained"

Episode Synopsis

Currently a third of all food produced is lost or wasted - around 14% between harvest and retail, and another 17% at household, food service and retail levels.

This means that the resources used to produce it - water, land, energy resources, and labour – go wasted. Food loss and waste also account for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to FAO estimates, the food that is lost and wasted could feed 1.26 billion hungry people every year.

In a world with finite resources yet a rapidly growing population, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture, and making the best use of the resources produced, can generate a triple-win for food security, environment, and the economy. Applying a circular economy approach can link these goals together.

In One World, Zero Waste? we hear from Shane Ward, Professor of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin, and Maria Chiara Femiano, Senior Policy Officer, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, about the challenges and opportunities of food in the circular economy, and the role of different actors, from producers to retailers and big brands (known as Fast-moving consumer goods companies)and consumers.

We also hear insights on the importance of international and multistakeholder cooperation, tools and standards to accelerate the sector's circularity shift from Elisabeth Tuerk, Director, Economic Cooperation and Trade Division at UNECE.