Contribution to food loss and waste management under a life cycle Nexus thinking approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The current system of exploitation of natural resources to satisfy the demand for food is among the main causes of environmental degradation, also threatening the food security and sovereignty of the world population. One of humanity's biggest challenges over the next decades will continue to be meeting the global nutritional demand, reducing pressure on food resources and greenhouse gas emissions. In this sense, the general challenge will consist of, in addition to a fairer and more equitable redistribution of production and consumption, the redesign of food systems, promoting sustainable eating patterns and limiting the food loss and waste. This Thesis aims to contribute to the identification of the main sources of food loss and waste generation in Spain, as well as the environmental impacts associated with both their generation and their management. All this in order to assist in the decision-making by selecting the best strategies for the production and management of food loss and waste. This Thesis presents a methodological approach that combines life cycle thinking and the Water-Climate-Food (WCF) Nexus approach.