Turning food waste into climate action: Strengthening food systems and nourishing communities
What if food that is lost or wasted could instead nourish communities, improve livelihoods and help mitigate against climate change and its effects?
- Climate Action
- food environment
- food loss and waste
- health diets
Turning food waste into climate action: Strengthening food systems and nourishing communities
What if food that is lost or wasted could instead nourish communities, improve livelihoods and help mitigate against climate change and its effects?
In Kenya, about 40% of food produced is lost or wasted annually, translating to about 9 million tonnes valued at approximately KES 72 billion (about USD 578 million). These losses do not just represent a major economic and environmental challenge, they also present an opportunity to build more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems.
Food loss and waste undermine food security and nutrition while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste is disposed into landfills and decomposes without adequate management, it generates methane, a potent short-lived climate pollutant. At the same time, safe and nutritious food that could support vulnerable households and institutions is lost.