Millions of tons of wheat rotting in the open in Amritsar, Punjab after India ran out of warehouse space to store it in 2012. Photograph: Altaf Qadri/AP Food waste is an issue of global significance, affecting food security and environmental sustainability, yet basic information is lacking on the types and quantities wasted. The available statistics give the illusion of information, but are based on very limited data. Much has been written about global food insecurity since the food price rises of 2008. In September the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) waded into the debate with the publication of its trade and environment review 2013 . The title "Wake up before it is too late" sets the tone, imploring a greater sense of urgency in bringing about the 'ecological intensification' of global agriculture using approaches fundamentally different to those of the green revolution. Global food waste reduction is identified as one component of this approach. Surprisingly little is known about global food waste. The UK government's Foresight programme has reported that estimates vary between a third and a half of global food production. The uncertainty relates to the cost and level of difficulty of conducting primary fieldwork, particularly in relation to post-harvest losses in developing economies. There are also significant gaps in understanding food wasted at the consumer level in different parts of the world. Collection of food waste data requires experienced in-country expertise and a commitment over many years. There are a few examples of this in action of which the African post-harvest losses information system (Aphlis) is the most established and well-respected. Global food waste estimates are mainly based on old statistics recycled into 'new' estimates. Some of these estimates date back decades (many post-harvest loss studies were conducted during the 1970s and 1980s). Yet global food supply chains have changed as a result of factors such as urbanisation, growing environmental stresses and the demand for more diverse food. The lack of good data has not deterred the generation of high-level reports and analyses drawing attention to the role of global food waste reduction in meeting future food needs. The recent spate of reports started in 2011, when a report (pdf) from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation estimated that the world wastes 1.3bn tonnes of food, equivalent to one third of agricultural outputs intended for human consumption. Losses were reported by seven food commodity types, further split by supply chain stage and region. But little current research was available to support the estimates and the report itself did not include full details of the sources used. However, it is possible to work the data coverage from information within the original contractor's report (pdf). For example, of the 40 supply chain stage/food commodity group estimates for south and south-east Asia, over 70% were based on assumptions, generic data or food waste estimates from other regions. Overall, the FAO data gaps are greatest for parts of the world that have undergone the most rapid shifts away from starchy staples towards more varied and fresh diets. With growing demand for more perishable foods in countries such as China and India the potential for waste has increased as infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with demand (pdf). Since the FAO 2011 publication, more reports have emerged that interpret the same limited evidence base . This month the world's first estimate of the environmental footprint of global food waste has been published based on FAO statistics (pdf). In the UK, Tesco's intention to lead on global food waste reduction through their 'scale for good' initiative is framed by the same global estimates (pdf). Does the lack of primary measurement really matter in relation to global food waste estimates? We know it is a large number, both in terms of waste and other indicators, however inadequate the data. For instance, according to the FAO's footprint report, if food waste was a country it would be the world's third biggest greenhouse gas emitter after China and the United States. However, the available estimates may be too blunt a tool for identifying global food waste 'hotspots'. If we do not know how much food is wasted, how can we be expected to rise to the challenge and act to reduce it? Better measurement and monitoring through a global benchmarking network is urgently needed. Priority should be given to developing countries and those undergoing rapid dietary shifts. This would require stronger leadership across international agencies with an interest in food security and development issues. Where food supply chains are becoming more industrialised the network could link to data collected by suppliers, manufacturers and retail businesses involved, for example data collected under Tesco's scale for good initiative. Rolling out data collection focused on smallholder agriculture using the Aphlis model would also require significant funding. However, the resources needed would be small in comparison with the research and development costs associated with scaling up global food production to feed 9 billion by 2050. Producing more food only for it to be wasted a few days later through lack of investment in post-harvest losses is not part of the 'ecological intensification' model posited by Unctad. So let's wake up before it is too late and look at the global food waste issue with greater urgency. Julian Parfitt is principal resource analyst at the Centre for Remanufacturing and Resuse, at Oakdene Hollins . Follow @Reman_info on Twitter This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional . To get more articles like this direct to your inbox, sign up free to become a member of the Global Development Professionals Network
↧