FOOD WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A REVIEW OF CHALLENGES, IMPACTS, AND POLICY RESPONSES

Abstract

Food waste has become a prominent global issue with extensive consequences for environmental sustainability, food security, and climate change. Notwithstanding significant progress in agricultural output, a major fraction of globally produced food is lost or wasted across the supply chain, encompassing production, processing, distribution, and consumption. Food waste signifies a depletion of essential resources, including land, water, energy, and labour, while also substantially exacerbating environmental deterioration via greenhouse gas emissions, notably methane produced from the decomposition of organic waste. This research analyzes the correlation between food waste and environmental sustainability by evaluating current literature on the ecological impacts of food waste and its contribution to climate change. The study examines the impact of food waste on resource efficiency, exacerbation of environmental pressures, and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. It examines the environmental consequences of food waste in relation to global food systems and international food commerce. The assessment emphasizes that minimizing food waste is essential for fostering sustainable food systems, preserving natural resources, alleviating climate change, and attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report asserts that collaborative initiatives among governments, corporations, and consumers are crucial for reducing food waste and improving environmental sustainability.