THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (EF), RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2021/2279, IN THE SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS OF FOOD WASTE PREVENTION AND REDUCTION SOLUTIONS
Generally, the environmental consequences associated with food loss and waste are related to global warming and are reflected in the impact category 'climate change,' expressed as emissions in kg of CO2 eq.
The initial conclusions of the Tonowaste project demonstrate the need to modify this limited perspective of the problem and consider a more systemic environmental assessment.
In line with the objective of the project and after the pertinent analyses, the application of the environmental footprint (EF) has been selected as the method for evaluating the environmental impact of these solutions, according to the recommendation (EU) 2021/2279 of the Commission (December 15, 2021).
Its use as an evaluation method, along with the bibliography published by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), demonstrates the importance of communicating to producers, consumers, and EU decision-makers that the environmental repercussions of food loss and waste and their solutions are not only manifested in climate change but that there are other impact categories that are even more affected than this one.
It is important to remember that food comes from agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, and their transformations, and that one of the basic factors in their production is the consumption of fresh water, either for irrigation or for livestock drinking.
Thus, Tonowaste proposes the publication of the environmental results of the sustainability analyses of the solutions, strategies, and prevention policies in accordance with the methodology recommended by the EU Commission (EF). Its use allows for highlighting the relative importance of each of the impact categories on a weighted total impact.
TOWARDS A NEW ZERO FOOD WASTE MINDSET BASED ON HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
Ongoing | 2022-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece