Water footprint of waste and losses in cereal-related food: an analysis at the global scale

In this thesis, our primary objective is to assess the water usage associated with the losses and waste in staple crops, specifically focusing on identifying the countries most significantly impacted by the use of freshwater resources throughout the food value chain. The chapter "Food-Water nexus" serves as an introductory exploration of the intricate relationship between food and water. Within this chapter, we elaborate on the critical importance of minimizing water wastage and provide a comprehensive understanding of the concept of water footprint. Furthermore, we delve into an in-depth examination of food loss and waste, with a specific emphasis on elucidating the drivers and the impacts. In chapter "Data", we provide a detailed rationale for incorporating staple crops into our analysis, delineating the specific crops under consideration. We furnish references regarding the sources of our data and conduct an assessment of the data's coverage by scrutinizing production-related aspects. Additionally, we expound on the concept of the unit water footprint, elucidating the origin of this data. Furthermore, within the same chapter, we delve into the intricacies of food loss and waste, emphasizing the regional variations in the distribution of losses at different stages of the value chain. We underscore that these variations are contingent upon the specific crop under examination. In chapter "Methods", we explain the methodology employed for modelling food loss and waste along the supply chain, providing insights into the intricacies of food loss and waste dynamics at different stages of the supply chain. Furthermore, we expound on the tracing of food loss and waste along supply networks, allowing us to delineate the impact of losses occurring in any given country on both domestic water resources and resources allocated to other nations. The following chapter presents the results of our analysis, and it is divided into two main sections. In the initial segment, we concentrate on wheat, delving deep into various facets of this crucial crop. Subsequently, the second part of the chapter broadens its scope to encompass other staple crops. Within each section, our examination unfolds through three distinct perspectives: production-side, consumption-side, and feed-side. By adopting this tripartite approach, we aim to comprehensively capture the dynamics and impact of these crops across different dimensions of the supply chain. In the limitations, we delve into the challenges and obstacles encountered throughout our analysis, from data constraints to methodological intricacies. This exploration lays the groundwork for the last chapter, where we synthesize our findings and draw meaningful conclusions. Additionally, we present prospective paths for future research, addressing the identified limitations and suggesting potential strategies for overcoming them.