Cities Taking the Lead: Tackling Food Loss and Waste Under SDG 12.3
The Growing Challenge of Food Waste
Food loss and waste (FLW) is a pressing global issue, particularly as we critique the disparities within our food systems. Did you know that a staggering one-third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted? This senseless waste not only strangles our economy, costing roughly $940 billion annually, but it also exacerbates climate change and resource depletion.
Spotlight on SDG 12.3
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3 aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains by the year 2030. This is where cities and local governments come into play—driving change at the grassroots level, one initiative at a time.
The Role of Urban Areas in Food Consumption
With 70% of the world’s food consumed in urban environments, cities are pivotal in shaping circular food systems. They can implement targeted interventions such as improved waste management, strategizing food recovery, and promoting behavioral changes among residents.
Engaging with Sub-National Authorities
The upcoming webinar on June 17, 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST is organized by the Food is Never Waste Coalition, co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Resources Institute (WRI). This event exemplifies how collaboration can spark innovative solutions to reduce FLW.
What to Expect from the Webinar
Participants will explore:
- Challenges faced by cities in combating FLW
- Effective strategies that have shown to accelerate progress toward SDG 12.3
- Real-world examples of pioneering actions taken by cities around the globe.
Through lively dialogues, sub-national authorities, national governments, and international partners will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and best practices. This collaboration is essential for scaling up FLW reduction initiatives in the next five years.
Bridging Local and Global Efforts
Getting involved isn’t just a local concern; it’s a global endeavor. By participating in this webinar, attendees can gain invaluable insights into regional experiences and identify the key enabling factors necessary for real change.
Multilingual Support for Inclusivity
To ensure inclusivity, live interpretation will be available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. This commitment to diversity allows a wider audience to engage in crucial conversations about food waste.
Your Invitation to Act
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative discussion. Register now for virtual participation and take a step towards shaping a more sustainable future. Join your peers in addressing one of the most urgent issues of our time and contribute to the global movement against food waste.
By working together, we can create innovative solutions, drive meaningful change, and help our planet thrive. Let’s take action—because food is never waste!
