New report: Tougher measures required if Nordics are to halve food waste by 2030
With 2030 just six years away, the researchers behind the report argue that voluntary efforts are no longer sufficient. Tougher policy tools must be introduced, or food waste will not be reduced at the agreed pace. Suggested measures include limiting in-store promotions, developing and regulating date labelling, stepping up Nordic co-operation, and providing better information to consumers.
We can’t afford to keep throwing away food
Reducing food waste is not only important for the economy and the preparedness of our societies, it’s also a crucial element in climate work. Global food systems account for around a third of total emissions, and reducing waste would have a significant impact on emissions from food production.
“We can’t afford to keep throwing away food. Food waste needs to be a top priority as a central issue for the climate, environment, preparedness, and economy,” says Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, who has received the research report today.
The report comes as a contribution to the deepened co-operation on food waste initiated at the Nordic level.
“Our ministers have set an ambitious goal to halve food waste by 2030 and strengthen Nordic co-operation in this area. This shows that our region is ready to take the lead and show the way to reduce waste,” says Ellemann.
The report, written and prepared by researchers at Karlstad University, is one of several initiatives for reducing food waste within Nordic co-operation.
Powerful measures are necessary
The report serves as a handbook aimed at politicians, decision-makers, and civil servants in the Nordic countries. The goal is for the countries in the region to improve their ability to learn from each other and the efforts already underway. Additionally, the report presents a range of informative recommendations for the Nordic countries to actively reduce food waste.
“It involves everything from implementing tough policy tools to reduce waste, stepping up Nordic co-operation, setting clearer demands for data sharing, and assessing and reporting on food waste,” says Helén Williams, associate professor in environmental and energy systems and one of the authors of the report
Recommendations for policy measures to reduce food waste
- Limit promotions in retail
- Review labelling regulations and practices
- Highlight the role of packaging in reducing food waste
- Engage citizens in measuring their food waste on International Food Waste Day
- Step up Nordic co-operation and establish a Nordic collaborative body for the reduction of food waste
- Expand systematic measurement and follow-up
- Establish clearer requirements for data sharing and food waste reporting
The researchers’ recommendations have now been received by the Nordic Council of Ministers and will be discussed within Nordic co-operation forums and forwarded to the Nordic countries and their national processes. In this work, the Nordic Council of Ministers will continue to serve as a platform and forum for policy development and co-operation.
The report is part of the Nordic initiative for sustainable and healthy food systems, led by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It’s one of several efforts to reduce food waste as part of the political commitment that the Nordic countries’ food policy ministers adopted in 2023 – Reduced food waste for a Green Nordic region.
