NZ FOOD WASTE CHAMPIONS 12.3
He taonga te kai – an Aotearoa where food is valued, not wasted.
Accelerating progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 in New Zealand and halving food waste by 2030.
A third of food produced is lost or wasted from farm to fork. We have an opportunity in New Zealand to lead the world in sustainable food production and prevent food from being wasted. Tackling food waste will lead to triple wins: environmentally, economically and socially.
Climate
Action
Food loss and waste currently contributes to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste is ranked as the third best global solution in addressing climate change (Project Drawdown).
Saving
Money
Economic losses from food waste are estimated at US $940B per year. Food businesses could face a 14-fold return on investment opportunity if they introduce food waste reduction measures (Global Champions 12.3).
Feeding
People
One in nine people in the world is undernourished. Redistributing food through food rescue charities significantly assists people who face food insecurity (Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations).
National food waste targets can encourage widespread change. Our Champions and Citizens of 12.3 want to see New Zealand progress towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 12.3:
"By 2030, halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses".
Of the world’s largest food companies, more than two thirds have set targets in line with SDG 12.3.
Governments representing 50% of the world’s population have set an explicit national target in line with SDG 12.3.