SDG Target 12.3 on Food Loss and Waste: 2023 Progress Report is the eighth in an annual series of publications providing an assessment of the world’s progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3. SDG 12.3 aims to “by 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.” Prepared on behalf of Champions 12.3, this publication seeks to inform decision-makers in government, business, academia, and civil society about recent advances and what remaining steps need to be addressed if the world is to achieve the target.
Highlights
- At the near-halfway point of the Sustainable Development Goals, global progress by governments and companies on achieving SDG 12.3 is slower than needed when compared with the Champions 12.3 Road Map to Achieving SDG Target 12.3.
- New research suggests that food loss and waste may be an even more significant problem than previously thought, and may be increasing at the consumer level.
- The European Commission has announced proposals for the first legally binding targets on food loss and waste, which may provide a template for further national and regional action.
- Although action from national governments is still slower than needed to achieve SDG 12.3, many cities are adopting new programs to address food loss and waste.
- Several companies are reporting large reductions in food loss and waste by also adopting innovative new programs within their operations to tackle the issue.