Article
Rebound effects could offset more than half of avoided food loss and waste
Nature Food
(2023)
Abstract
Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) could lessen food systems’ environmental impacts
and improve food security. However, rebound effects—whereby efficiency improvements
cause price decreases and consumption increases—may offset some avoided food FLW.
Here, we model rebounds in food consumption under a scenario of costless FLW
reduction. We project that consumption rebound could offset 53-71% of avoided FLW.
Such rebounds would imply similar percentage reductions in environmental benefits
(carbon emissions, land use, water use), and improvements to food security benefits
9(increased Calorie availability), highlighting a tension between these two objectives.
Evidence from energy systems suggests that indirect effects not included in our analysis
could further increase rebounds. However, costs for reducing FLW would reduce
rebounds. Rebound effects are therefore important to consider in efforts aimed at
reducing FLW.
Keywords
- Food waste,
- rebound,
- food security
Disciplines
Publication Date
Summer July 20, 2023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00792-z
Citation Information
Margaret L Hegwood, Matthew Burgess, Pete Smith, Bojana Bajželj, et al.. "Rebound effects could offset more than half of avoided food loss and waste" Nature Food Vol. 4 Iss. 7 (2023) p. 585 - 585–595 ISSN: 2662-1355 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/harry_saunders/48/