MEDIA RELEASE (November 6, 2023)—Creator and CEO of Fight Food Waste Ltd (FFWL), Dr Steven Lapidge, has been invited to join the eminent Champions 12.3 Coalition, the first leader from Australasia. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, Champions 12.3 unites a league of influential and revered Ministers, Presidents and CEOs from worldwide organisations, all rallying under the goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030. Their collective focus is to inspire ambition, mobilize action, and expedite the transformation of SDG Target 12.3 into a reality by 2030.
An astounding one-third of the world's food is squandered, an issue carrying a US$2.7 trillion economic, social and environmental price tag, and responsible for a staggering 10% of global greenhouse emissions.
“Each year, Australian industry and households discard an astonishing 7.6 million tonnes of food, and the majority of it ends up in landfill.” Dr Lapidge said. “This invitation means that Australia will have a seat at the table working alongside other leaders in the global fight against food waste to divert it from landfill, so we can save money, help people, improve food security and safeguard the environment.”
Commencing in 2018 FFWL has grown into one of the largest public private partnerships solely focused on fight food waste and involves near 100 leading food companies, industry supplies, universities and governments at all levels. Their unwavering commitment to advancing the Australian food industry's competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability, through groundbreaking research collaborations and industry partnerships, has set them apart as the nation's champions.
"This is our moment to lead by example, to light the way towards a greener, more prosperous future for all. Together, we can turn the tide and make a global impact that will resonate for generations. it is paramount that we all recognise halving food loss and waste by 2030 as a critical solution to the climate crisis and ensuring food security for a growing population.”
Dr Lapidge will now join the Champions 12.3 network, working with fellow Champions and others to address food loss and waste as an urgent and critical factor to achieving many of the United Nations global commitments, including those on climate. Together they will unite in the global commitment to use every lever possible to engage more countries, businesses and households to reduce their food loss and waste.
Media contact:
FFWL spokesperson: Dr Steven Lapidge, CEO, Fight Food Waste Ltd
+61 401 990 367, steven@fightfoodwastecrc.com.au
Media enquiries: Sarah Fitzharris, Corporate Communications Manager, Fight Food Waste CRC
+61 420 825 015, sarah.fitzharris@fightfoodwastecrc.com.au
About Fight Food Waste Limited
Fight Food Waste Ltd is the parent entity of two divisions working together to address Australia's annual $36.6 billion food waste challenge.
The Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre was established in 2018 and brings together industry, research and the community to capitalise on Australia’s food waste opportunities. The Fight Food Waste CRC is the biggest R & D organisation in the world devoted to food waste and is funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Stop Food Waste Australia was established in January 2021 as the lead agency to coordinate Australia's response to the goal of halving food waste by 2030. It operates as a powerful partnership of organisations along the farm-to-fork food supply chain, including all levels of government, industry and the food rescue sector. SWFA's activities are supported by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
About FFWL CEO, Dr Steven Lapidge
Dr Steven Lapidge is the creator and CEO of Fight Food Waste Ltd, which incorporates the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and Stop Food Waste Australia. His career has focussed on industry-based science and commercialisation across the wildlife management, agri-food production and sustainability fields.
His qualifications include a PhD and an MBA. He is a Fulbright Professional Business/Industry Fellow and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Non-Executive Director roles include the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (past) and WRAP Asia-Pacific (present).