Where are the best opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the food system (including the food chain)? A comment

Environmental Implications of Dynamic Policies on Food Consumption and Waste Handling in the European Union

“…This is most apparent when food consumption is also reduced due to a reduction in waste. There are a large number of studies that agree, indicating the potential for large reductions in environmental impacts from reducing food wastes [5,[43][44][45][46][47]. As such, Dorward [43] suggests that food waste in combination with reduced food consumption are needed to address the sustainability of food production.…”

“…In many studies, the focus is primarily related to the impacts from avoided food production [43]. Nonetheless, food waste is often used as a resource, becoming a source of energy and nutrients from, e.g., anaerobic digestion, incineration and landfilling.…”

Household food waste behaviour in EU-27 countries: A multilevel analysis

“…However, while in developing countries food loss occurs mainly during the earlier stages of the FSC -i.e. production and industrial transformation -and are due to a lack of financial, technical and managerial resources, in developed countries loss usually occurs in the final stages of the FSC because of the cultural, social or economic decisions made by producers and final consumers (Dorward, 2012).…”

Food Sustainability Challenges in the Developing World

“…In developed countries, food loss can occur because of cultural, socio-economic decisions furnished by the producers or the consumers at the far end of the food supply chain, while in developing countries the loss can occur at the earlier stages of food supply and can be attributed to a lack of financial support or technology (Dorward 2012). Further, the widening gap between farmers and the market, owing to poor facilities (storage and transportation), can contribute tremendously to loss/wastage of fresh produce, especially in low-income countries.…”