Keeping caloric consumption under 3,000 kcal per person, each day, reduces packaging in the food supply chain by 55 percent. Meanwhie, a further a greater focus on sustainable food production is critical in tackling the issue of over-producing and waste. 

This is according to a new report from non-profit organization Circle Economy, which details that food waste prevention solutions, working alongside other circular strategies, can cut global emissions by 39 percent.

The analysis reveals that food waste at retail and household stages amounts to approximately 88 million metric tons per year in the EU, or 173 kilograms per person per year.

“Preventing losses at farm-stage, rather than household stage, is the primary challenge. In Brazil for instance, logistical issues hinder sufficient food storage, which results in post-harvest losses of a mammoth 45 percent,” the authors outline.

On a global scale, food loss and waste are responsible for around 8 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, flags Circle Economy. All countries have a role to play in minimizing this figure.

Mitigating excess caloric supply
In Circle Economy’s roadmap, footprint-per-calorie reductions which can be achieved through changes in diet, which is largely the uptake of vegan and healthier options. This is in line with Innova Market Insights’s Top Trend for 2021, “Plant-Forward,” which is expected to continue shaping the F&B landscape this year.

Given this focus on consistent caloric and protein intake levels, a move away from foods with low nutritional value, such as sugary beverages and refined, heavily processed food can be impactful, notes Circle Economy.

“Unprocessed food is championed, alongside an ongoing decrease in consumption of all meat, fish and dairy, with a target of 100 percent eradication of unhealthy high-sugar, high-salt products,” it underscores.

Although a healthy diet requires 2,000 kcal per day for a typical female, the intake in some countries may be far higher, while malnutrition persists in others. 

The more calorie intensive diets could consist of out-of-season, imported foods that have travelled across the globe, or high levels of animal protein, Circle Economy highlights.

“Calling to reduce consumption here may be appropriate and even ethical, but less so in cases wher access to basic nutritious food is limited,” it concedes.

Curbing resource-intensive food production
Innova Market Insights also highlighted “Transparency Triumphs” as the Top Trend for 2021. Meanwhile, industry giants including Nestlé and Arla Foods Ingredients aim to uphold these principles, in targets to either slash or fully eliminate net carbon emissions in the years ahead. 

Current climate pledges will see a global temperature rise by 3.2°C this century, resulting in a significant increase in extreme weather events with devastating social, environmental and economic consequences. 

According to the UN, to ensure global warming is kept below 2°C, global emissions must fall by 15 billion metric tons. 

Tackling food shortages and scarcity starts first with optimizing how we use the food we already have at our disposal, before looking to increase production, notes Circle Economy. Food products have short life cycles in our economy, being consumed quickly after production.

Sustainable food production includes a more widespread uptake of fresh, regional, local and seasonal options on the menu. This reduces the need for hot-housing vegetables, which equates to a reduction in fuel inputs, plus fewer food miles and lower transportation impacts.

“Urban, organic and precision farming models would also eliminate synthetic fertilizer use,” note the report authors.

The use of food waste and losses as fodder for livestock will further support growth of secondary markets, helping to cycle flows.

In a previous report, Circle Economy called for raised incentives to commercialize upcycled ingredients. Residual materials found in food processing surplus streams – often categorized as “waste” – can be reused as upcycled ingredients if fair pricing can be ensured.