Stathers, Tanya ORCID: 0000-0002-7767-6186 and Lamboll, Richard (2023) Exploring the complex relationships between food loss and waste, climate change and the environment to support informed sustainable food system transformation decisions with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 33 (4). pp. 1-34. ISSN 1755-1978 (Print), 1755-1986 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.3362/1755-1986.22.00071)

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Abstract

Food loss and waste (FLW) reduction is key to transforming food systems to deliver food security, while responding to climate change and reducing other environmental impacts. Food production and postharvest systems differ with location, reflecting the diversity of agroecological and socio-economic environments and the drivers influencing them. The interactions between drivers and environments, practices and products influence food systems and their greenhouse gas emissions and other related environmental impacts. These factors also influence the level of food loss during or after harvest, or food waste at retail or consumer level. This think-piece examines the relationships between climatic change, the environment, and FLW within a broader food systems framework. We use the case study of maize in Malawi to explore these relationships. This analysis unpacks the issues and suggests an approach for supporting decision-makers in making a more informed assessment of how to reduce FLW, taking into account the complexity of food systems, their multiple drivers of change, diverse stakeholder interests and influence, and the need to operate with very incomplete knowledge.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	food loss and waste; postharvest loss; environmental impact; trade-offs; carbon footprint; sub-Saharan Africa
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > FaNSI - Food Loss, Waste Reduction and Value Addition Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Food & Markets Department Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Food Systems Research Group Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Postharvest Science and Technology Research Group
Last Modified:	04 May 2023 08:51
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/38505

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