The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) adheres to the Basque Country Platform against Food Waste. It has signed up to the Platform’s commitment to fight food waste and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 12 ("Sustainable consumption and production").
Approximately one billion people in the world are starving. At the same time, one third of all food produced globally is wasted; or, in other words, 1.3 billion tons of food are thrown away every year. Just one half of the current food waste would be enough to end hunger. In addition to the fact that food waste is morally wrong and entails substantial economic losses, it is environmentally catastrophic. Food waste consumes substantial natural resources, in particular, 250 billion m3 of water per year and 30 % of arable land. Moreover, food waste contributes to climate change, emitting 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
As key agents of social transformation and training of new generations of citizens, higher education institutions cannot ignore this. Taking advantage of the week against food waste in the Basque Country from 14-19 December 2020, the University of the Basque Country organized numerous actions aimed at raising awareness of the whole university community and catering located on the campus, as the first step against food waste among many others that will be developed in the future.
Currently, the Basque Country Platform Against Food Waste brings together more than 100 public and private entities, local institutions, government departments, associations, companies, technology centers, etc. It has been recognized internationally and included in an international network against food waste.