In the UK, about 33% of the food waste is at the farm level and of the remaining about 70% of food waste is at the household level. The UK Government has committed to reducing the 2007 food wastage level by 50% by 2030 and recent reports suggest half of this target has been achieved. The Scottish Government pledged to reduce the nation’s food waste by 33% by 2025, but with slow progress, the target will most likely be missed. The Welsh Government has already mandated local authorities to collect household food waste once a week to recycle it and produce biogas and biofertilizers which can be used to organically power houses and farms, respectively. It has been proposed that all local councils in England will be doing the same by April 2026. In a bid to reduce food wastage, UK supermarkets are removing “best before” and “use by” labels. Innovative start-ups like ‘Too Good To Go’ are enabling restaurants and shops to sell their surplus food at a reduced price to consumers to help fight food waste. Similarly, other organisations are tackling food waste at the farm level by selling fruits and vegetables that do not make it to the retail market for various reasons such as small size, or unusual shape or colour. However, schemes like multi-buy and other promotional offers lead consumers to buy more than necessary which often results in higher household food waste.
A combination of reduction in food waste and change in dietary behaviour can result in both climate mitigation and adaptation action; due to a significant decrease in GHG emissions and reduced pressure on land and water. It would also reap benefits for human health, and ensure sustainable development and food security.