Reducing Food Loss and Waste
A Climate Opportunity Not to Be Missed
Chinese
June 2026
Working Paper
Beyond Carbon Climate-Food GAAP
Summary:
This working paper quantitatively examines the scale and climate impact of food loss and waste (FLW) in China, estimating that 430 million tonnes of food were lost or wasted in 2024—roughly 28% of total production—generating approximately 500 million tonnes of CO₂e in carbon footprint and 185 million tonnes of CO₂e in methane emissions. It analyzes the uneven distribution of FLW across supply chain stages and food types, highlighting that while vegetables account for the largest share of losses, livestock products carry disproportionately high emissions intensity. The paper reviews China's evolving policy landscape, including the Anti-Food Waste Law and cold chain development initiatives, while identifying critical gaps in data infrastructure, sustainable cold chain coverage, and consumer behavior interventions. It explores the dual role of cold chain logistics—reducing post-harvest losses while contributing significant energy-related and refrigerant emissions—and assesses the potential of business innovations, public engagement, and food waste valorization to mitigate FLW. Ultimately, the paper advocates for integrating FLW reduction into climate governance frameworks, proposing four priority pathways: establishing systematic FLW data systems, advancing sustainable cold chain solutions, strengthening circular utilization of food waste, and promoting green consumption patterns to unlock a cost-effective, high-potential climate mitigation opportunity.
Suggested citation:
Chen Meian, Zhu Tongxin, Ma Yue. Reducing Food Loss and Waste: A Climate Opportunity Not to Be Missed. 2026. Working Paper. Beijing: Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP).
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