Why food systems must be at the centre of the climate crisis fight

06 06 2025 | 16:26Justin Williams
  • South Africa wastes 10 million tonnes of food annually, releasing potent methane gas into the atmosphere
  • SA Harvest's logistics model rescued 329 tonnes of food and prevented 322 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
  • The organisation sees food as a catalyst for circular community impact, from nutrition to recycling and education.
  • Briefly News spoke to Ozzy Nel, COO of SA Harvest, about why food systems need to take centre stage in the climate change fight

Today, 5 June, marks World Environment Day, and this year, SA Harvest is urging South Africans to focus on a silent climate culprit, food waste.

  The food rescue non-profit is calling for food systems to take centre stage in climate policy, arguing the sector has been long ignored despite being responsible for over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.

 

 

Cover photo:  SA Harvest is urging South Africans to focus on a silent climate culprit, food waste. Image: Supplied. Source: Original

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