Food waste puts pressure on climate goals

Food waste continues to have a significant impact on the climate. According to the report Climate footprint of food waste in the Netherlands by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), food waste accounts for 5% to 9% of total CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands. 

In 2022, a total of 2,350 kilotons of food was wasted — equivalent to 134 kilos per person. Although this marked a 7% decrease compared to the previous year, achieving the goal of halving food waste by 2030 (compared to 2015) remains a major challenge. Various measures, including improved monitoring and a joint effort by supermarkets and the food industry to address expiry dates, are being implemented to speed up progress.

More transparency in the food chain

The call for greater transparency in the food chain is louder than ever. In January, an updated version of the Dashboard Duurzaamheid Supermarkten was published, where supermarket chains share their sustainability data. In addition, spending on food with an independent sustainability label grew by 14% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Still, misleading information remains a concern. Research by Questionmark shows that false sustainability claims are still widespread and that self-regulation offers insufficient protection against deception.

Plant-based proteins gain ground, but citizens expect support

The shift towards more plant-based proteins is progressing steadily, but citizens expect stronger leadership from the government and the food industry. This was revealed by a citizen panel where Dutch participants shared ideas on how to improve the balance between plant-based and animal proteins. While many are open to changing their eating habits, they believe the responsibility lies with producers and policymakers. Suggestions such as price mechanisms and clearer communication on sustainable choices received broad support.

In the coming months, new reports will be published, offering further insights into the protein transition and sustainability labelling.