Latest News:  

English>>Business

Food waste hinders China's sustainable development

By He Yini  (Chinadaily.com.cn)

08:27, June 09, 2013

Staff members of a restaurant launch a campaign encouraging consumers to avoid food waste in Qingdao, Shandong province, Jan. 24. Stirred by an exposure on astonishing food waste on Chinese tables, “Did you empty the dishes today?” has become the most popular question in China. As response, restaurants and government departments take actions to eliminate food waste. Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

The growing food waste in China, soon to be the largest consumer market in the world, has largely undercut the country's green transformation amid economic restructuring while seeking sustainable development, experts said Friday in Beijing.

"Food waste has become a major part of urban landfill in China, which largely erodes the country's ecological environment and sustainable development," said Liu Xiaojie, an expert with the Research Institute of Geographic Sciences and Resources under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, at the Sustainable Consumption Forum 2013 held Friday in Beijing.

The latest statistics from the State Grain Administration show that food wasted annually in China is valued at more than 200 billion yuan, with an equivalent value of 80 billion kilograms of grains that can feed about 250 million people a year.

"What's behind food waste is a waste of various natural resources which food production involves," said Edward Clarence-Smith, head of the China Regional Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, also at the forum.

"We will continue to work with China to do more and better with less in seeking sustainable development," he added.

His words echoed the idea promoted at the World Environment Day that was themed "Think, Eat, Save – Reduce Your Foodprint" on June 5, urging the whole world to cut food loss and waste to benefit people and the environment.

China has initiated a frugality campaign nationwide since last December, in a bid to curb consumption that uses public funds, and reduce restaurant extravagance and waste, among other purposes.

Liu Zhiquan, deputy directorial general of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, said that the country will continue to encourage sustainable consumption, reduce carbon emission and energy consumption, and protect our ecological environment amid the ongoing urbanization and economic restructuring.

According to Liu, among the 20,000-plus products on the government purchase lists, more than 60 percent are environmentally friendly, which is a great encouragement to the strategically emerging industry amid the country's green shift.


We Recommend:

Ladies in finance industries

Fortune Global Forum to be held in Chengdu

Top 10 most competitive airlines in the world

General view of Hefei Xinqiao Int’l Airport

China FAW launches high-end car model H7

Top 10 most competitive cities in China in 2013

Boeing delivers China’s first 787 Dreamliner

Intelligent & beautiful Asian business women

Eye-catching models highlight house fair

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:WangXin、Chen Lidan)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Bayi Aerobatics Team in training

  2. PLA Air Force in confrontation training

  3. Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate

  4. Photo story: becoming acrobats

  5. Bus fire suspected 'serious criminal case'

  6. Flight overshoots airport runway

  7. Paintings about the Dragon Boat Festival

  8. The history and future of Shuyuan

  9. China's first Boeing 787 makes debut flight

  10. Chongqing Int'l Auto Industry Fair kicks off

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Private sector essential to China's economic health
  2. Fines for unmarried mothers draw criticism
  3. Less Gaokao participants, more seek int'l study
  4. China-US summit to set sunny tone for times ahead
  5. Most US citizens positive on China
  6. Job-hunting college grads need 'soft power'
  7. China strengthens cultural heritage protection
  8. GE CEO optimistic about China's capability
  9. China to become most promising market
  10. High-end manufacturing holds the key

What’s happening in China

Sick girl realizes dream on the stage

  1. Man given death penalty over E China fire
  2. 10,000 evacuated in continuing downpour
  3. Heavy sand storm hits Yinchuan, NW China
  4. Heavy rain kills 15 in southern China
  5. Girl taking national exam drowns in N china