Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, of Agenda 2030, seeks to “ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” Target 12.3 of that goal aims to “by 2030, halve the per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer level, and reduce food losses along production and supply chains including post-harvest losses.” Efforts by FAO and the UN Environment Programme are underway to measure the progress made towards achieving SDG 12.3 using two separate indices – the Food Loss Index (FLI), led by FAO; and the Food Waste Index (FWI), led by UN Environment.
In May 2015, under the Presidency of Turkey, the G20 agriculture ministers highlighted the extent of food loss and waste (FLW) as "a global problem of enormous economic, environmental and societal significance" and encouraged all G20 members to strengthen their collective efforts to prevent and reduce FLW. In the context of policy coherence, the Development Working Group was encouraged to continue its efforts to develop concrete actions as part of its Implementation Plan for the Food Security and Nutrition Framework.
The G20 recommendation to reduce FLW was followed by the agreement between FAO and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to set up the Technical Platform to measure and reduce food loss and waste. Launched in December 2015, the Technical Platform facilitates information-sharing and in-depth discussion. The platform builds on and complements existing initiatives by FAO and CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets, which includes an initiative on measuring and reducing food loss and waste.