HomeNewsWorking AreasSustainable NutritionTackling Food Waste: A Call to Action on Italy’s National Day Against Food Waste

Tackling Food Waste: A Call to Action on Italy’s National Day Against Food WasteBY CLAUDIO ZANFRAMUNDO, PRESIDENT OF THERMO KING EMEA AT TRANE TECHNOLOGIES

  • 5 February 2025
  • Posted by: Competere
  • Categories: highlights, News, Sustainable Nutrition
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As Italy marks the 5th National Day Against Food Waste on 5th February, the spotlight turns to the urgent need for solutions to tackle food loss and waste. With the European Union wasting an alarming 131 kg of food per capita annually and a further 30% of all food produced globally wasted, the issue has never been more pressing. These facts are particularly alarming given that nearly 1.3 billion people worldwide still lack reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, is at the forefront of advocating for accelerated food loss solutions.
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A significant amount of food loss and waste is due to substandard cold chain technologies and practices. The cold chain, which refers to the temperature-controlled supply chain necessary for preserving and transporting perishable goods, plays a vital role in maintaining food quality and safety. Inefficiencies in this system can lead to substantial food loss, exacerbating the problem of food insecurity. While food poverty and insecurity continue to rise, it becomes very clear that something needs to be done to close this gap. It is our business to challenge what’s possible in a sustainable world.

Having an efficient and sustainable cold chain makes a big difference in reducing food waste and putting food on tables across the world. This is why it’s vital that industry leaders connect regularly so we can push the needle on this important issue.

Trane Technologies is at the forefront of addressing this challenge. We are committed to advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge, which aims to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tonnes. This reduction equates to 2% of the world’s annual emissions – or the annual emissions of Italy, France, and the UK combined. Trane Technologies has also pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and is the first in the industry to have its near and long-term emissions reduction targets externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

In line with our sustainability goals, Trane Technologies is leading the electrification and decarbonization of the cold chain. Providing electric solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of the company’s overall approach to reducing carbon emissions in the industries and markets we serve. Last year, Thermo King®,a brand of Trane Technologies, unveiled our new advanced AxlePower technology offering 100% electric cooling for trailers, powered by the road. This highly innovative technology for trailer refrigeration units recovers energy from the vehicle while braking. The energy is then stored in battery packs and reused to power the refrigerated unit instead of being wasted and released into the atmosphere. All of this is achieved without impacting the truck’s fuel consumption, simply by managing the vehicle’s energy when braking or going downhill. This technology is already available, and we have customers who have travelled thousands of kilometers without needing to refuel their refrigerated units. It is truly a breakthrough innovation, and we are offering our customers the option to purchase or rent this new technology, as they recognize it as a game changer in our industry. Delivering sustainability benefits while also reducing operating costs, this technology is the future of medium and long-haul transport refrigeration. Such initiatives are also expected to significantly reduce food loss and waste, and contribute to global food security by ensuring efficient and sustainable cold chain solutions. 

The fight against food waste requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers. European Union policies and strategies are crucial in this regard, as they provide a framework for reducing food loss and waste across the Continent.

As we mark the Italy’s National Day Against Food Waste, it is essential to recognize the collective responsibility in addressing this critical issue. By improving cold chain technologies and practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable solutions, we can make significant strides in reducing food loss and waste, ensuring that more food reaches those in need.

Let this day serve as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices and the urgent need to innovate and implement effective solutions to tackle food loss and waste, and improve food security for all.

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