The Norwegian Voluntary Agreement on Reduction of Food Waste

Published on March 6, 2023

In Norway, an average of 84.7 kg of edible food per inhabitant ended as waste in 2020. The agreement is a voluntary agreement signed by 5 ministries and 12 sector organizations in 2017, with the objective to reduce edible food waste by 50 percent within 2030 compared to 2015 through collaboration across the sectors. The agreement has also set sub-targets of 15 percent reduction by 2020 and 30 percent reduction by 2025. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is the coordinating ministry of the agreement. The authorities will monitor the food waste and report on the food waste development every five years; for 2020, 2025 and 2030. The voluntary agreement has contributed to a food waste reduction by 9,5 percent between 2015 and 2020.

A third of the food produced in the world is lost or thrown away. This constitutes a significant resource and environmental problem. In line with the UN's sustainable development goal 12.3, Norway has committed to reducing food waste by 50 per cent by 2030. In Norway, an average of 84.7 kg of edible food per inhabitant ended as waste in 2020. If the target of 50 per cent reduction is reached, it can contribute to national emission reductions of close to 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.

In 2017, five ministries and 12 sector organizations signed an agreement on food waste reduction, with the objective to reduce edible food waste by 50 per cent by 2030. The agreement covers the whole food value chain, from primary production to the hospitality sector and retail, and commits the parties to contribute to reducing food waste caused at the household level. The agreement comprises a range of obligations aimed at preventing and reducing food waste, as well as providing increased knowledge of the extent and causes of such waste. Individual companies in the food industry can join the agreement through signing an affiliation statement, and as of January 2023, 124 companies have done so. The Ministry of Climate and Environment is the coordinating ministry of the agreement. The authorities will monitor the food waste and report on the food waste development every five years; for 2020, 2025 and 2030. The voluntary agreement has contributed to a food waste reduction by 9,5 percent between 2015 and 2020.

To further develop the collaboration between the authorities and the food industry of the voluntary agreement, the Norwegian government appointed a committee in February 2023 that will investigate additional measures to reduce food waste. The committee will investigate how additional measures and instruments, including regulatory instruments such as a food waste act, can be implemented to reach the target of reducing the food waste by 50 per cent by 2030. The committee will deliver its report and recommendations in December 2023, and the government will assess how to pursue the advice given by the expert group.