A brainstorming session on Food Loss and Waste (#123 pledge) with youth and game-changing stakeholders

The way food is produced and consumed today results in high rates of food loss and waste (FLW). An estimated 14% of food is lost in the food supply chain from post-harvest up to wholesale included (FAO 2019). Meanwhile, 17% of food is wasted at retail and consumer level (UNEP 2021). But FLW has many impacts, such as wasted land and water resources, loss of biodiversity, loss of natural ecosystems and costs nearly USD 1 trillion per year in economic losses. All against the backdrop of rising food insecurity and malnutrition. And on top of this all, FLW is responsible for an estimated 8-10% of global GHG emissions (IPCC 2019), far higher than the emissions from commercial flights. Halving FLW could help realize the Paris commitments of countries (NDCs) and help companies in their race to NetZero, as FLW reduction has great potential for reduction of GHG emissions. 

 #123 Action! 

We are looking for #123 pledges from governments, companies, institutions and single entrepreneurs (like chefs) to align (part) of their action agenda to one of the impact areas to achieve halving food waste by 2030 and to reduce food losses by at least 25%. All letters of action taken together should results in a substantial reduction in GHG emissions, which collectively will help both mitigation and adaption to climate change. 

 About the #123 Pledge:  

• It is a multi-stakeholder cooperation and action movement with the goal of reducing FLW and its GHG emissions 
• It involves governments, businesses, civil society, and international governmental and non-governmental bodies 
• Stakeholders will make NEW AND ADDITIONAL commitments that contribute to the reduction of FLW  
• Commitments can be flexible to address the priorities already identified by the country, company or institution. They can be long or short term 
• The #123 pledge is hosted by WRI, UNEP and FAO and will be launched at COP27 but will continue towards COP28. 

Livestreamed via: Food Systems Pavilion – Action On Food for people and planet