PODCAST: Transitioning to a sustainable and climate-resilient food system?

Circular economy: transitioning to a sustainable and climate-resilient food system?

The food system is a complex network of vast supply chains and stakeholders. Food waste and security, as well as the carbon footprint of food production are some of the critical issues that should be a top priority at a local, regional, and international level during climate meetings such as COP27 in November. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, approximately 250 kilograms of food per person is wasted annually or worth a total value of $60 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The current linear structure of the food system is fragmented and deeply harming the environment. Implementing a circular food economy has never been more crucial. The circular economy is a closed-loop system involving 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Remove. It could prevent food loss and waste, offset vast amounts of environmental damage and biodiversity loss, and increase the accessibility to food. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a circular economy for food mimics natural regeneration systems so that waste does not exist but is instead feedstock for another cycle. In Saudi Arabia, one of the key objectives of Vision 2030 is to implement circular food security strategies by preventing food waste. Accordingly, the Kingdom has been working extensively to enhance the sustainability of natural resources, reduce losses and waste by 50% by 2030, and build a strategy for responsible agricultural investment abroad. For example, the Kingdom increased lending from the Agricultural Development Fund by more than 400% in 2020 and aims to hit a $1 billion target of agricultural loans.

Featured Speakers

Professor Mark Tester, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Red Sea Farms

Marie-Thérèse Laguerre-Ndiaye, Marketing Director, Near and Middle East, Strategy Director, Africa

Suhail Jabir, General Manager, Saudi Arabia, FOODICS

Moderator: Sean Evers, Managing Partner, Gulf Intelligence
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