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TOMORROW FOOD AND INNOVATION 119

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD SUSTAINABILITY

One of the most critical issues to be tackled in order to continue on the pathway to sustainable
development is the system of food production and consumption. The exponential growth of the
population in the last hundred years has caused a radical change in the global production system
that has had to reinvent itself and create more and more food at lower and lower cost, adversely
impacting both the environment and human welfare.
The magnitude of the problem makes mobilization imperative. The United Nations 2030 Agenda
lists food sustainability as one of its top priorities for the next 15 years. Indeed, food and related
issues account for the highest number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and rightly so,
because they have a direct impact on health and on the economy.
As part of its SDGs, the UN calls for a global shift aimed at ending hunger and malnutrition, and
creating the conditions for a model of agricultural production that sustains natural resources,
combats soil degradation and climate change, and reduces food waste.
Reduction of food waste is an opportunity across the board: for the economy, for food security and
for the environment. Food waste accounts for close to US$940 billion in annual global economic
losses. A study commissioned by the World Resources Institute (WRI) shows that, in addition to
ensuring a positive economic return, informed investments in this area will result in significant
environmental benefits, alleviating pressure on agriculture and natural resources and, importantly,
enhancing food security. Food security
More specifically, Target 12.3 calls for cutting in half per capita global food waste at the retail
and consumer level, and reducing food losses along production and supply chains (including post- According to the definition used sustainable cities and climate change.
harvest losses) by 2030. by FAO (United Nations Food and It is imperative to ensure the
Agriculture Organization), food availability of food for a growing
THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM: security exists when all people, global population and, at the same
Food production now takes up 40% of the Earth’s land surface at all times, have physical and time, to guarantee the quality
About 70% of freshwater is used for irrigation economic access to sufficient, safe and safety of the food produced
1/3 of CO2 emissions come from the global food system and nutritious food that meets their and distributed. This requires a
Livestock account for 35-40% of methane emissions dietary needs and food preferences multidimensional approach and the
30% of biodiversity loss can be attributed to food production for an active and healthy life. The identification of a viable path to
global challenge therefore consists in sustainable development involving
Not only the environment: another very critical aspect is the rapid spread of chronic diseases related to poor diet achieving fair government and correct all stakeholders. Costa Cruises’
(e.g. diabetes, obesity, cancer) in recent years because of failure to eat enough of the right kinds of foods. Possible management of these fundamental 4GOODFOOD project is a practical
causes include a diet rich in animal protein, fat and sugar and poor in fruit and vegetables (vitamin deficiency). aspects. Food security is directly and example of tangible action in this
The good news is that we can rise to these multiple and complex challenges by acting together and transforming
our world. We need to rethink the system as a whole and promote a different integrated approach to global food indirectly linked to many of the 2030 direction, the aim being to halve food
production, based on personal welfare, local production and the enhancement of natural ecosystems. The sustainable Agenda SDGs, especially Goal 2. waste on our ships by 2020.
diet par excellence is the traditional Mediterranean diet; it is varied, with a vast range of vegetables and legumes, The Zero Hunger goal is intrinsically As part of a broader vision, the
and condiments that are typically low in saturated fat. This is the chance to rediscover and promote worldwide the interconnected with all the others Company seeks to promote and
flavors and produce that are synonymous with the Italian culinary tradition. insofar as farming plays a vital role disseminate on board the culture of
in attainment of the targets dealing responsible consumption, healthy
with eradication of poverty, health eating and sustainable procurement.
Source: One Planet Food, WWF issues, water, biodiversity, energy, Our future depends on it.