How cutting food waste could help solve the climate change crisis

If the recent remonstrations around climate change have been anything to go by, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the government has been dragging its feet on the environment for some time. Doubtlessly, one could quibble about whether more could be done in less time, but – sorry protestors – the idea that nothing is happening simply isn’t true. Last year, climate change minister Claire Perry asked independent experts to scope out a net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions (which it recently completed, recommending we do so). Environment secretary Michael Gove has been ceaseless in his drive to restore our natural world to its verdant best. Alongside a host of other things, he’s even installed me as the government’s ‘Food Surplus and Waste Champion’ to try and clamp down on Britain’s monumental problem of perfectly good food being squandered each and every day. If you’re scratching your head wondering why food has anything to do with climate change, don’t worry – you’re not alone.