Reducing Food Waste: Impact on Hunger and the Environment
According to a study published in the journal Nature Food, efforts to reduce food spoilage not only help alleviate hunger but also lead to increased availability of food in the market, resulting in lower prices for consumers. However, this reduction in food waste comes with a rebound effect, where the environmental benefits may be compromised due to increased consumption.
The elimination of food loss and waste has long been advocated by scientists and environmentalists as a means to mitigate the adverse impacts of food production. Up to a quarter of global food system greenhouse gas emissions and 6 percent of total global emissions are attributed to loss and waste along the supply chain.
Although a significant decrease in food wastage would naturally result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the laws of economics introduce complexities. With more food available and prices falling, consumption tends to rise, leading to changes in supply and demand. As a result, between 52% and 71% of the potential food waste saved may be offset by increased demand, commonly known as the rebound effect.
This rebound effect not only affects hunger reduction efforts but also undermines various environmental benefits, such as decreased land and water use and reduced carbon emissions in food production.
“Our model essentially confirms basic economic principles, where reducing food loss and waste affects supply and demand curves,” explains Matt Burgess, one of the study’s co-authors. “Understanding the sensitivity of supply and demand to price changes, as determined by previous research, helps us project how food prices and consumption will be impacted.”
There is a trade-off between eliminating food waste and increasing food security. While improving supply chain efficiency and lowering food costs can enhance affordability in less-advantaged countries, it may necessitate a shift in expectations concerning the environmental benefits of waste prevention.
In summary, reducing food waste leads to decreased hunger levels due to the greater availability of food. However, the increased demand resulting from lower prices mitigates the environmental advantages, highlighting the need to carefully balance these objectives.
Reference:
Nature Food, ‘Rebound effects could offset more than half of avoided food loss and waste’, Published on 20 July 2023, Authors: M. Hegwood, N. G. Burgess, E. M. Costigliolo, P. Smith, B. Bajželj, H. Saunders & S. J. Davis (https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00792-z)