Sustainable Food Systems for Reducing Food Waste and Loss

Abstract

Globally, the population is expanding quickly. There are currently 7.7 billion people on the planet (Revision of World Population Prospects, 2019), and an additional 130 million are added year. The United Nations Population Division (2019) projects that, at the current rate of population increase of 1.05%, there will be around 11 billion people on the planet by the end of this century. It is difficult to understand such enormous numbers, and the figures themselves show that we are on the verge of what some theorists have dubbed the "over-population." Both significant economic growth and a demographic dividend could result from population expansion. Conversely, an unchecked progression could seriously endanger the development as a whole. Despite the tremendous advancements of the last century, food waste remains a major global issue with significant effects on the economy, ecology, and society. We examine innovative instruments, policy measures, and behavioural changes aimed at reducing food waste. We also go into the challenges and subtleties of programs aimed at reducing food waste, like the need for structural changes and the impact of consumer behaviour. Five subheadings, covering topics including food recovery, circular economy tactics, and sustainable agriculture, provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate issue of food waste.