Reduced Emissions, Reduced Hunger
In this white paper
Abstract
In 2023, approximately 733 million individuals worldwide faced hunger, while one-third of all food produced was wasted, generating 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This underscores the urgent need for action. Food banks are essential in combating food insecurity and promoting sustainability. By recovering surplus food from donors and redistributing it to community agencies, they help alleviate hunger, minimize waste and reduce methane emissions from landfills. This process ensures that excess food reaches those in need, providing essential nutrition to vulnerable populations.
As organizations strengthen their commitments to sustainable outcomes, leveraging advanced technology to optimize operations and reduce food waste has become crucial. Co-authored by WWT and Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) this paper focuses on how employing sophisticated data analytics to measure emissions from food bank operations can enhance the understanding of their impacts and drive sustainable decisions.
In partnership with World Wide Technology (WWT) and Microsoft, the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) has implemented an advanced methodology for quantifying their impacts on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This approach incorporates automated data ingestion and calculations through Microsoft Sustainability Manager (MSM), enabling precise tracking of methane emissions avoided by recovering and redistributing surplus food. This represents a significant leap forward in sustainability practices within the industry.
A pilot project focusing on six food banks in Mexico and Ecuador has effectively visualized and quantified their impact on four key United Nations SDGs. This initiative supports data-driven decision-making that enhances efforts to reduce hunger, waste and emissions. Additionally, it lays the groundwork for future development of verifiable carbon offsets.
Introduction
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 global objectives aimed at addressing urgent challenges by 2030. Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, these goals serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. The Reduced Emissions, Reduced Hunger (RERH) Project significantly contributes to four key SDGs:
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – End hunger and improve food security
- SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – Promote sustainable economic growth and employment
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- SDG 13 (Climate Action) – Combat climate change and its impacts
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) acknowledged the significant impacts of its operations on these SDGs but needed both a method to measure these impacts and a system to track them over time. The RERH project led to the development of an automated platform that quantifies and tracks the impacts of food bank operations on the four key SDGs, including a new method for estimating avoided methane emissions.
Project RERH focused on SDG 2 by measuring and tracking the nutritional benefits provided to food-insecure individuals by member food banks. For SDG 8, the project recorded the number of meaningful, full-time employment hours created by each food bank's operations. To address SDG 12, the project quantified the amount of food that would otherwise be lost or discarded if not for the food banks' efforts. Finally, for SDG 13, the project developed a method to calculate the impact of food banks in preventing food from ending up in landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste (in particular, the potent GHG methane).
Today, many countries and international organizations are adopting goals to dramatically reduce their GHG emissions, including those from methane. The United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore, Argentina and over 110 other nations have set goals to generate net zero GHG emissions by 2050. Because of methane's significant global warming potential, countries and organizations must find ways to dramatically reduce it to meet these goals.
Utilizing the statement of record platform with verifiable and traceable data developed by Project RERH, GFN will foster a transparent, strategic and synergistic partnership with its donors. The detailed reports will validate current donors' contributions and create a compelling narrative that encourages prospective donors to continue the sustainable journey.
To demonstrate the value of this methodology and technology, we conducted a successful pilot of the automated system across six food bank facilities—five in Mexico (part of the Banco de Alimentos de México food bank Network) and one in Ecuador (the Banco de Alimentos Quito Network). The platform is now fully functional and prepared for broader deployment across the Global FoodBanking Network.
Project Summary
With the five-step process, the RERH project built a scalable data foundation with custom models and visualized the impacts via a custom MSM dashboard
Project synopsis: Five key steps
In this pilot project, a structured five-step process was executed to establish a robust data foundation for future scalability:
Step 1: Installation & setup
The first step for the six pilot food banks was installing MSM. This software solution helps organizations track and manage emissions generation, water consumption and waste disposal sustainability data from automated data collection to real-time insights.
Step 2: Methodological data ingestion
Next, various data sources and connectors were identified for the six pilot food banks. This involved assessing which data could not be ingested automatically and pinpointing any data not currently collected by GFN member food banks. The data ingestion process was then structured and automated using Microsoft Excel and a Microsoft SQL database, allowing the food banks to independently import data into MSM in the future.
Step 3: Custom methodology implementation
Custom emission and estimation factor libraries were developed to quantify methane emissions, along with calculation models, to measure the impact of food banks' contributions to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Step 4: Dashboard creation
A comprehensive dashboard was built to visualize the impact of the pilot food banks' operations on the four SDGs prioritized by GFN. This dashboard utilizes MSM and Power BI capabilities to deliver optimized results.
Step 5: Training & next steps
Before completion, WWT conducted comprehensive knowledge transfer and training sessions with the GFN team, ensuring they were well-prepared to manage and sustain the automated processes and platform. Based on the challenges identified during the pilot phase, we also outlined opportunities for improving GFN's emission quantification process, addressing aspects related to people, processes and technology.
Project approach: Data & calculation methodology
In building the dashboard in MSM, the scientific "Food Recovery to Avoid Methane Emissions" (FRAME) methodology was applied using the custom calculation models, profiles and factors libraries WWT created in MSM.
The FRAME methodology: Developed by GFN and Carbon Trust, a global organization focused on reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainability through technological innovation, the FRAME methodology is a framework designed to evaluate the environmental, social and economic impacts of food bank operations. It measures and calculates key metrics, including greenhouse gas emissions, waste reduction, food security, and responsible production and consumption driven by food bank activities. The impacts on the four SDGs are assessed by calculating:
- Nutritional impact food banks have for food insecure beneficiaries (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger)
- Jobs created (SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth)
- Overall avoided Food Loss & Waste mass (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production)
- Overall avoided methane emissions from food donations (SDG 13 – Climate Action)
The custom factor libraries & calculation models: To implement the FRAME methodology, comprehensive libraries of methane emission factors specific to various food categories recovered by food banks and sent to typical Food Loss and Waste (FLW) destinations were developed. Emission factors are coefficients that quantify the emissions of a gas per unit of activity. These libraries were integrated into models that produce precise estimates of avoided methane emissions. By systematically categorizing food types and their corresponding emission factors, GFN can accurately calculate the environmental benefits resulting from food recovery and redistribution efforts. The custom factor libraries and calculation models provide detailed tracking and reporting of sustainability impacts, establishing a new standard for environmental accountability in the food bank sector.
Project outcome: Visualizations & dashboard
Adopting the FRAME methodology with the custom factor libraries and calculation models, we built a custom dashboard in MSM with two different views.
The Emissions View provides a detailed overview of all emissions, enabling users to compare and analyze emissions data by month, facility and region, thereby facilitating a nuanced understanding of emission patterns and supporting targeted environmental management efforts.
The Custom View utilizes Power BI to quantify sustainability impacts across the four SDGs, allowing users to view detailed metrics by year and individual food banks, facilitating precise analysis and informed decision-making in a unified interface.
Technical deep dive
Exploring the technical aspects of the RERH project, highlighting how cross-organizational collaboration, refined data processes and advanced technology contribute to an integrated sustainability solution
People: Cross-organization collaboration yields refined sustainability tool
The RERH project benefited from the expertise of a range of stakeholders who collectively developed a robust and accurate analytics solution. Contributions included pilot data, software infrastructure support and specialized knowledge in operations, policy, sustainability and calculation methodologies. This collaborative effort was crucial to the success of this pioneering initiative. We extend our sincere appreciation to all participating organizations. For a detailed list of contributors, please refer to the Acknowledgement section at the end.
Process: From food bank data to sustainability metrics
Food banks routinely gather operational data. WWT collaborated with GFN to enhance this existing capability by refining the data collection template. This improvement aims to increase the quality and frequency of data collection, leading to more accurate and comprehensive sustainability metrics.
The regularly collected data encompasses the amount and categories of food distributed, demographic breakdowns of the served population, carbon-generating activities of food bank operations and more. Currently, food banks report this data through a web portal or email, which is subsequently stored in a SQL database. For piloting sustainability metrics, detailed monthly data for Q3 of 2023, including more specific food categories and emission activity information, was collected from the pilot food banks and integrated into the same SQL database.
Building on the comprehensive data collection, the SQL database was translated into views aligned with the four SDGs (2, 8, 12 and 13). With a specific focus on SDG 13 (i.e., carbon emissions), the translated data were then processed in MSM using Power Query so that the columns in the SQL database would match the pre-defined columns inside MSM. The Power Query process also serves as the automated ingestion template, allowing the MSM administrators to automate the data ingestion process. Specifically, they can set refresh frequencies, data update policies, and specify areas of data (e.g., carbon activities, emissions, nutrition) to update. As new food banks onboard these sustainability metrics, new data can be added easily through the Power Query process.
The process for developing and validating the data model and workflow involved regular alignments and signoffs from multiple stakeholders, including the pilot food banks, GFN and Carbon Trust. Data mock-ups and tests were conducted to ensure that calculations and data entries in Microsoft Sustainability Manager (MSM) were accurate and complete.
Technology: Power Platform technology enables an integrated experience
Microsoft Sustainability Manager (MSM) is central to the initiative's technology stack, offering a powerful platform for sustainability management. MSM has tailored tools to track carbon activities and emissions. Users can customize calculation models and profiles to calculate emissions reflecting the most accurate emission scenario. WWT incorporated the FRAME methodology and created new emission factors and calculation models with aligned assumptions to be as precise as possible.
MSM is an evolving product and is steadily adding new functionalities. During the RERH project, Microsoft incorporated feedback from WWT and GFN, making several changes to Sustainability Manager. For example, Microsoft added the ability to customize the visual appearance of the displayed dashboard and continued to enhance features and stability. In addition, users of MSM can further evolve the product by submitting feedback and discussion in the User Voice Forum of MSM.
MSM can also integrate customized pages. Power BI was integrated into this project to provide advanced visualization and reporting capabilities using a custom dashboard. WWT developed a custom dashboard that incorporates data for all four relevant sustainability SDGs, allowing a holistic view into not just emissions but all sustainability aspects.
The integration of Power Platform apps—MSM and Power BI—has positively matured GFN's ability to track and mitigate emissions. The customized tool built by the RERH project provides detailed, up-to-date insights into sustainability metrics, enabling better data-driven decisions and showcasing food bank environmental and social impacts. By combining technology with collaborative expertise, this project has advanced GFN's mission, creating a benchmark for future innovations in emissions tracking and environmental impact assessment for non-profits and other organizations across the globe.
GFN can now accurately quantify emissions mitigation through food re-distribution, identify key emissions reduction areas, optimize sustainability operations, and demonstrate its mission of environmental and social responsibility. This tool supports GFN's current goals and empowers it to extend sustainability initiatives to more food banks in its organization. The data and results presented in the final deliverable are also valuable data for governments, providing essential information for reporting and decision-making. Communications are already taking place between participating food banks and governments, with governments incorporating the sustainability data into their official reports. This platform and tool herald a promising future for comprehensive sustainability reporting.
Recommendations & next steps
Sustaining pilot achievements by enhancing data management, standardizing processes, and advancing technology capabilities
People
Organizations must rigorously review training materials, set up stable data management workspaces and establish sound user access levels for all relevant stakeholders to smoothly utilize data management tools like MSM.
Process
To meet reporting and assurance requirements for carbon markets, organizations must standardize data request forms, establish a concrete data validation process and detail emissions at the facility level. These steps ensure accurate, consistent data and enhance the tracking of sustainability efforts, enabling quicker identification of any outliers that may appear in the future.
Technology
To enhance technological capabilities and accelerate sustainability impact, organizations must collaborate with technology partners, maintain and expand emission factor libraries, and standardize databases. These steps will improve data accuracy, management and reporting.
Conclusion
We have demonstrated the background, key steps, methodologies and technology capabilities of the "Reduced Emissions, Reduced Hunger" project. With the employment of the "Food Recovery to Avoid Methane Emissions" methodology and Microsoft Sustainability Manager, WWT successfully quantified and visualized the impacts of food banks, utilizing the framework of 4 Sustainable Development Goals.
By leveraging scientifically estimated data that tracks the avoidance of tens of millions of tons of methane emissions (CH4), GFN can engage in a carbon-offset marketplace. Through quantifying the carbon mitigation efforts, food banks can transfer the associated benefits to donors through carbon credits.
The partnership is not only between GFN and WWT but also involves multiple stakeholders such as Microsoft, Carbon Trust, Banco de Alimentos de México (the partner food bank network in Mexico), Banco de Alimentos Quito (the partner food bank network in Ecuador), The Global Methane Hub, the Food Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard University and SAJOMA Climate. This pilot exemplifies how advanced technology can significantly enhance operational efficiency and positive impacts. By embracing the best practices, organizations across various sectors can collectively elevate global Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments. This pilot sets a new industry standard, paving the way for future initiatives to achieve even greater sustainability and impact.
Acknowledgments
This paper was jointly developed by WWT and GFN, and we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their valuable contributions to the RERH project:
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN)
For providing critical insights into food bank operations and sustainability goals.
- Ana Suarez, Project Lead
- Maria Molina, Product Owner
- Juan Suarez, Data Manager
- Ray Young, IT Expert
- Halley Aldeen, Advisor
- Maria Garcia, Advisor
- Gloria Raimondi, Advisor
- Matthew Eckford, Advisor
World Wide Technology
For incorporating stakeholder feedback and implementing the advanced impact-tracking solution.
- Brendan Walsh, Director
- Wes Palmer, Managing Director
- Michael Neff, Director
- Nitasha Nair, Engagement Manager
- Chris Brozyna, Consultant
- Ryan Wang, Consultant
- Manni Li, Consultant
- Snehal Jindal, Analyst
Microsoft
For providing Microsoft Sustainability Manager (MSM) support and infrastructure.
- Rosa Chang, Director
- Amanda Giglio, Director
- Göksel Oral, Principal Technical Solution Architect
Carbon Trust
For providing the calculation methodologies for quantifying methane emissions and other sustainability impacts.
- Fergal Byrne, Senior Analyst
Banco de Alimentos de México (BAMX) – partner food bank in Mexico
For participating as a pilot site, providing critical data and operational insights to support the project.
Banco de Alimentos Quito (BAQ) – partner food bank in Ecuador
For participating as a pilot site, providing critical data and operational insights to support the project.
Global Methane Hub
For offering expertise in methane emissions reduction and supporting the project's emissions tracking efforts.
The Food Law and Policy Clinic of Harvard Law School
For providing research support & expertise in food law & policy, enhancing the project's methodological rigor.
Sajoma Climate
For contributing climate expertise and supporting the integration of environmental data into the project's framework.
References
EPA. "Basic Information on Air Emissions Factors and Quantification." US Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-factors-and-quantification/basic-information-air-emissions-factors-and-quantification.
European Commission. "2030 Climate Targets." European Commission, 2023, climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targets_en.
Hillsdon, Mark. "'Blindspot' over Methane Emissions Puts Dairy and Beef Sectors at Risk, Say Investors." Reuters, 17 June 2024, www.reuters.com/sustainability/decarbonizing-industries/blindspot-over-methane-emissions-put-dairy-beef-sectors-risk-say-investors-2024-06-17/.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories." IPCC, https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol2.html.
National Climate Change Secretariat. "Singapore Commits to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050." NCCS, 25 Oct. 2022, www.nccs.gov.sg/media/press-releases/singapore-commits-to-achieve-net-zero/.
Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. "PM Recommits UK to Net Zero by 2050 and Pledges a 'Fairer' Path to Achieving Target to Ease the Financial Burden on British Families." GOV. UK, 20 Sept. 2023, www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-recommits-uk-to-net-zero-by-2050-and-pledges-a-fairer-path-to-achieving-target-to-ease-the-financial-burden-on-british-families.
The White House. "FACT SHEET: President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing US Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies." The White House, 22 Apr. 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/22/fact-sheet-president-biden-sets-2030-greenhouse-gas-pollution-reduction-target-aimed-at-creating-good-paying-union-jobs-and-securing-u-s-leadership-on-clean-energy-technologies/.
United Nations. "Carbon Neutrality by 2050: The World's Most Urgent Mission." United Nations, 11 Dec. 2020, www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/articles/2020-12-11/carbon-neutrality-2050-the-world%E2%80%99s-most-urgent-mission.
United Nations Environment Programme. "Argentina." UNEP, climate.ec.europa.eu/ndc/action-area/argentina.
United Nations. "Sustainable Development Goals: Communications Material." United Nations, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communications-material/.
United Nations. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations, 2015, https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda.