Food Banks in GHG Reduction | 19 Sep 2024

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

According to recent estimates based on a new methodology termed Food Recovery to Avoid Methane Emissions (FRAME), food banks play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  

• Each food bank can prevent emissions equivalent to taking 900 gasoline-powered cars off the road for a year.

How Effective are Food Banks in Addressing Food Waste? 

• Food Banks: 
  • A food bank is a non-profit organisation that provides food to people who struggle to afford enough food to avoid hunger.  
  • It usually works through other organisations like food pantries and soup kitchens, though some food banks directly distribute food themselves.  
  • They also recover surplus food from across the food supply chain and distribute it to people facing hunger through community organisations. 
• Global Impact of Food Banks: 
  • Emissions Reduction: Each food bank is estimated to avoid emissions equivalent to 906 gasoline-powered cars annually, or the carbon storage equivalent of nearly 63,000 tree seedlings grown for a decade. 
    • In 2019, food banks collectively avoided over 12 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions and saved 75 million tonnes of nutritious food from landfills. 
  • Food Security: The food banks served over 66 million people facing hunger within their networks. 
    • By recovering and redistributing food, these organisations not only reduce environmental impacts but also enhance food security for vulnerable populations. 
  • Alignment with UN Goals: FRAME supports the UN’s Target 12.3, which aims to halve global food waste at retail and consumer levels by 2030. 

What is the Current State of Food Waste? 

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 31% of food is lost globally, with 14% lost post-harvest and an additional 17% wasted at retail and consumer levels. 
• According to UN report estimates, Indian households waste 40% of their food, amounting to 78.2 million tonnes annually, with a financial loss of nearly Rs 92,000 crore per year. 
  • India's per capita food waste is 55 kg/year, with rural areas wasting less than urban areas.  
  • In South Asia, Bhutan has the lowest per capita food waste at 19 kg/year, while Pakistan has the highest at 130 kg/year.  
• Implications of Food Wastage:  
  • This leads to exacerbated hunger and greenhouse gas emissions. 
    • Food waste in landfills generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps over 80 times more heat than CO2 in the first 20 years.  
  • In 2017, emissions from food loss and waste reached up to 9.3 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e). 
    • Food systems are responsible for about one-third of global GHG emissions, with food loss and waste accounting for half of this figure. 

Way Forward

• Setting Reduction Targets: The government should prioritise reducing food wastage by setting measurable and time-bound reduction targets at both national and global levels, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
• Promoting Sustainable Practices: Encourage sustainable food production and consumption by incorporating food waste education in school curriculums, launching awareness campaigns, and incentivising businesses to adopt sustainable practices. 
• Strengthening Food Recovery Networks: Support the development of food recovery programs that redistribute surplus food to vulnerable populations, leveraging technology and local initiatives. 
• Improving Waste Management Systems: Implement effective food waste management systems, including large-scale composting, biogas plants, and waste-to-energy projects to repurpose organic waste and reduce landfill pressure. 

Conclusion

To maximise the impact of food banks in combating climate change and food insecurity, it is essential to support policies that promote food recovery initiatives. Increased awareness, funding, and collaboration among stakeholders in the food system can enhance the effectiveness of food banks. By addressing food waste, we can make significant strides toward achieving both climate goals and food security targets globally.