Food waste is an international phenomenon. It is not a social or economical concern, it is an environmental concern. Food waste can be linked to globalization. To make things available in every corner of the world, supply chains get longer and food becomes more vulnerable to get wasted. In every phase of the supply chain from growing to processing, packaging, and transporting the food to consumer plate food waste takes place. As a result, it ultimately contributes to climate change. On average, one-third of the food produced (i.e approximately 1.3 billion tonnes) in the world goes into waste every year. Food production is responsible for around 26% of global GHG(greenhouse gases) emission. It includes both types of food wastage, first, food that never is eaten, and second, food that is wasted after consumption.
Food that we waste goes into a dump that releases methane gas which is more harmful than carbon dioxide. Food production requires land, resources, energy, and water that goes into waste with the food that we throw. In general, plant-based food has much lower carbon emission than meat, cheese, and eggs. Emissions are highest for beef and lamb. So better to choose a vegetarian option to eat to reduce your carbon footprint.