To explore the role of food recovery in mitigating climate change and increasing community resilience, The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), with funding from the Global Methane Hub (GMH), examined a set of key laws and policies in Mexico that could support food recovery. While a broad constellation of polices can impact food donation and recovery, the research for this report focused on a selection of policies that use economic instruments — specifically incentives or penalties — such as carbon taxes; carbon markets or greenhouse gas offset mechanisms; financial penalties, such as food waste deterrence policies like organic waste bans or food donation requirements; and other incentives like tax benefits to enhance food recovery.
This report provides individuals, policymakers, and organizations interested in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through food recovery with information about the relevant policies in Mexico that might help further their goals, as well as opportunities for further progress.
The action opportunities presented in this paper and summarized in brief below provide a starting point for policymakers to build on to strengthen Mexico’s existing methane emissions policies by incorporating an increased focus on facilitating food donation. Policies that support food recovery and redistribution not only address social concerns such as poverty and high rates of food insecurity, but they also mitigate methane emissions by reducing the amount of organic waste decomposing in landfills. Across all opportunities, it is essential to include food banks in the policy conversation from the start to ensure effective policy implementation and increase food donations,
thereby maximizing methane emissions reductions. In addition to the action opportunities identified herein, policymakers should consider additional opportunities to advance food donation and reduce methane emissions from food waste. They should partner with and include voices from food banks and other organizations with the mission to reduce food loss and waste and increase food donation (collectively referred to as “food recovery organizations”), as well as food donors.
The paper suggests action opportunities in the following areas: carbon tax, carbon markets, methane regulation, food waste deterrence and other policies to encourage food donation.
Autores
This report was written by Gray E. Norton, Heather Latino, and Emily M. Broad Leib, at the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic with contributions from Ana Catalina Suárez Peña and María Isabela Molina Maestre at The Global FoodBanking Network.
The Global FoodBanking Network
Los bancos de alimentos ofrecen una solución tanto al hambre crónica como a la crisis climática. GFN trabaja con socios en más de 50 países para recuperar y redirigir los alimentos a quienes los necesitan. En 2023, nuestra Red proporcionó alimentos a más de 40 millones de personas, reduciendo el desperdicio de alimentos y creando comunidades saludables y resilientes. Ayudamos a que el sistema alimentario funcione como debería: nutriendo a las personas y al planeta juntos. Obtenga más información en bancodealimentos.org.
Clínica de Políticas y Leyes Alimentarias de la Facultad de Derecho de Harvard
Since 2010, the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) has served partner organizations and communities in the U.S. and around the world by providing guidance on cutting edge of food system issues, while engaging law students in the practice of food law and policy. FLPC is committed to advancing a cross-sector, multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach to its work, building partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, private sector actors, and civil society with expertise in public health, the environment, and the economy. FLPC’s work focuses on increasing access to nutritious foods, addressing the climate related impacts of food and agricultural systems, reducing waste of healthy, wholesome food, and promoting food system justice. For more information, visit chlpi.org/food-law-and-policy.
Centro mundial de metano
La investigación incluida en este informe fue posible gracias al financiamiento del Global Methane Hub. Los hallazgos, conclusiones y recomendaciones presentados en este informe son únicamente de FLPC y GFN y no reflejan necesariamente las opiniones del Global Methane Hub.
