Food loss and waste are critical issues affecting food security around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year. This equates to around 1.3 billion tonnes of food, which is enough to feed around 2 billion people. FAO also points out that food loss represents a waste of valuable resources, including energy, water and fertilizers, used in the production process and is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing significantly to climate change.

To meet this challenge, FAO, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Italy working with countries to sustainably expand the infrastructure of the so-called “cold chain” or cold chain, using renewable energy to power food cooling. Cold chains are storage, transport and distribution systems that keep food temperatures at levels safe for human consumption. When food is stored and transported at controlled temperatures, it can be kept fresh and safe for longer, which is particularly important for perishable products such as fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, which have a limited shelf life.

Cold chains are used all over the world, from large supermarket chains to small farmers who transport their products to local markets. For this reason, it is important to sustainably expand the cold chain infrastructure using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy. This will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also make cold chain infrastructure more accessible and cost-effective. Expanding cold chain infrastructure can create green job opportunities and improve smallholder incomes.

For the sustainable expansion of cold chain infrastructure to be successful, there needs to be global collaboration. Governments must establish policies and regulations that encourage the use of sustainable refrigeration technologies and the expansion of cold chain infrastructure in remote areas. International organizations should provide funding and technical assistance to help countries develop sustainable cold chain infrastructure. The private sector must invest in sustainable refrigeration technologies and develop cold chain solutions that meet the needs of farmers and consumers alike. And civil society must raise awareness of the importance of reducing food loss and waste and press governments and companies to act to combat the growing food insecurity in the world.

The Role of International Cooperation in Combating Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a serious problem worldwide and affects millions of people every day. According to the World Food Program linked to the United Nations, more than 690 million people go hungry daily, which represents 8.9% of the world's population. To meet this global challenge, it is essential that countries work together and cooperate internationally. International cooperation allows for the exchange of information and knowledge, as well as the coordination of humanitarian aid and financial support to the most affected countries. International organizations such as FAO and the World Food Program play an important role in coordinating this cooperation and formulating joint policies and strategies to combat food insecurity.

International cooperation is still key to promoting sustainable agricultural practices and building cold chain infrastructure to reduce food loss and waste. According to the FAO, about a third of all food produced in the world is lost or wasted each year. Not only does this affect food security, it also has significant environmental impacts, including the waste of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases.

Therefore, international cooperation is crucial to address food insecurity around the world. This involves not only coordinating humanitarian aid and financial support, but also promoting farming practices that preserve the environment and building infrastructure that reduces food loss. Together, countries can work to achieve the goal of eradicating world hunger.

Climate Impacts on Food Production and the Importance of the Cold Chain

Climate change has a direct impact on food production around the world, threatening global food security. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicate that losses in agricultural production due to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods have increased from 5% to 25% over the last 50 years. This results in higher prices and a more limited supply of food for the most vulnerable communities.

The lack of food storage and transport infrastructure, especially in remote regions, further aggravates the situation. Without the cold chain, many perishable foods deteriorate quickly, becoming unfit for human consumption. This leads to significant food loss and increased waste in the production chain. In this context, the cold chain emerges as an essential solution to guarantee the quality and safety of food, reduce waste and losses in the production chain and, consequently, reduce the impacts of climate change on food production.

Expanding the reach of cold chains can be achieved through public-private partnerships and encouraging local entrepreneurship. In addition, it is important to promote local food production and reduce dependence on imports, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transporting food.

International cooperation plays a key role in promoting these practices. Organizations such as FAO and the UN World Food Program can help share knowledge and technology, provide financial and humanitarian support to countries affected by food insecurity, and thereby reduce climate damage to food production. Investing in cold chain infrastructure, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and encouraging local food production are key strategies to ensure global food security and mitigate the impacts of climate change on food production.