FoodCloud’s priorities for the next programme for government

Around the world, while 733 million people face hunger, over one billion meals go to waste every day. In Ireland alone, 750,000 tonnes of food is wasted annually, equating to 146 kg per household, even as 1 in 11 people experience food insecurity. Simultaneously, food waste contributes 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate breakdown and threatening our planet’s future.

Ireland’s rich heritage in food and agriculture, paired with its national story of resilience, presents an opportunity to lead in combating food loss and waste (FLW). By adopting strategic policies and investing resources in redistribution efforts, we can address hunger, reduce environmental harm, and inspire global change. Ireland is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), especially:

• SDG 12.3: Halving global food waste per capita by 2030.
• SDG 2: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Ireland has pledged to include food waste in climate action plans and align agriculture policies to bolster resilience, productivity, livelihoods, and nutrition. Binding food waste reduction targets proposed by the EU Waste Framework Directive are a critical step forward, but gaps remain, particularly in addressing primary production.

Domestically, the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap identifies 38 priority actions, while Food Vision 2030 sets out Ireland’s ambition to lead in sustainable food systems. These frameworks must be properly resourced to deliver meaningful change.

You can read the rest of the manifesto here.