Food Tank’s Weekly News Roundup: SNAP Cuts, European Heat Waves, and Japanese Food Waste Reductions – Food Tank

 

Global Developments Impacting Sustainable Development Goals

U.S. Budget Reconciliation Bill: A Setback for SDGs 1, 2, 3, and 10

Legislative Overview

• On July 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
• The legislation reallocates federal funds from social programs to national defense, immigration enforcement, and tax cuts.

Impact on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

• The bill mandates a US$287 billion reduction in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade.
• These cuts are projected to result in the loss of up to 9 billion meals nationwide.
• Millions of children are expected to lose access to school meals and summer food programs, directly undermining progress on ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
• New work requirements and a shift in financing responsibilities to states are expected to further reduce access to SNAP benefits for vulnerable populations.

Impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

• Federal health program spending will be cut by an estimated US$1 trillion over ten years.
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects this will lead to 10.9 million more uninsured individuals within a decade.
• The combined cuts to SNAP and healthcare place many individuals at simultaneous risk of losing both food assistance and health coverage, leading to poorer health outcomes and threatening the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.

Implications for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

• The legislation is expected to reverse decades of progress in combating food insecurity, disproportionately affecting low-income families and increasing inequality.
• Despite promises of savings, the CBO estimates the bill will increase the national deficit by US$3.4 trillion, potentially impacting future funding for poverty-reduction programs.

Green Climate Fund Bolsters SDG 13 and SDG 17 Amidst Funding Challenges

Record Financing for Climate Action

• The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has committed a record US$1.225 billion for 17 new projects aimed at global climate action.
• The GCF portfolio now totals US$18 billion in direct financing, leveraging a total of US$67 billion with co-financing for 314 projects across 133 countries.

Targeted Support for Key SDGs

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Funding will support initiatives to strengthen food systems in East Africa, enhancing resilience to climate change.
2. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Investments will expand renewable energy and energy efficiency in South Asia.
3. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The entire portfolio is dedicated to supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in developing countries.

Strengthening Partnerships (SDG 17)

• The GCF has streamlined its accreditation process, reducing approval timelines from 30 to nine months to improve country ownership and access to funds.
• This increased commitment comes as several top contributors announced aid withdrawals, leading to a projected 17 percent drop in global official development assistance. The GCF’s actions aim to fill this critical financing gap, reinforcing the importance of multilateral partnerships.

Climate Change Impacts in Europe: Heatwaves Threaten SDGs 2, 3, 8, and 13

Manifestation of Climate Crisis (SDG 13)

• Europe is experiencing a record-breaking heatwave, a direct consequence of climate change, leading to hazardous conditions across the continent.

Socio-Economic Consequences

1. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): To protect workers, France, Italy, and Greece have implemented measures such as banning fieldwork during peak heat and mandating work breaks.
2. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The extreme heat endangers the health of farm workers, with two fatalities reported in Spain due to heat-fueled wildfires.
3. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The heatwave is causing significant damage to crops, fueling wildfires that have destroyed olive groves in Crete, and threatening future agricultural yields.

Economic Toll on Agriculture

• The European Commission reports that droughts and heatwaves already result in approximately €28.3 billion in annual losses for EU farms.
• Meteorologists warn that continued extreme weather will compound crop stress, further jeopardizing food production and the livelihoods dependent on it.

Japan Advances on SDG 12 with Record Low Food Waste

Progress Towards SDG Target 12.3

• In fiscal year 2023, Japan’s food loss and waste fell to a record low of 4.64 million tons, a 1.7 percent decrease from the previous year.
• This progress directly supports SDG Target 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste by 2030.
• Commercial food waste has declined 58 percent since 2000, meeting a key national target eight years ahead of schedule.

Multi-faceted Strategy for Responsible Consumption and Production

1. New guidelines extend product expiration dates and promote food donations to food banks.
2. Advanced technologies are being used to improve demand forecast accuracy for businesses.
3. Local governments are providing platforms for residents to share waste-reduction strategies.
4. Consumer awareness campaigns, such as the “3010 movement,” encourage diners to finish their food.

Contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Reducing food waste is a key climate strategy. In 2022, household food waste alone was estimated to have caused over 10 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions in Japan.
• The ongoing challenge remains household waste, which accounted for 2.33 million tons of the total.

U.S. Farmland Policy: Intersections of National Security and SDGs 2 and 17

Policy Overview: The National Farm Security Action Plan

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new policy to restrict the acquisition of U.S. farmland by entities linked to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and other designated countries.
• The policy frames foreign agricultural land ownership as a national security issue, under the premise that “Farm security is national security.”

Implications for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and Food Systems

• The stated goal of the action plan is to protect the integrity and security of the U.S. food supply, a core component of achieving food security under SDG 2.
• The plan includes initiatives for more robust data collection on foreign investments and a public portal for reporting suspected noncompliance with ownership laws.

Context and Potential Impact on SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

• Data indicates that entities linked to China own less than 1 percent of foreign-held U.S. land, with Canada being the largest foreign land-holder.
• Despite this, 26 states currently restrict foreign ownership of agricultural land, and Congress is considering federal legislation.
• These actions, which may prohibit foreign entities from participating in USDA programs, could impact international investment and partnerships in the agricultural sector, highlighting a potential tension between national security objectives and the principles of global partnership outlined in SDG 17.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses several distinct issues, each connecting to one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This goal is central to several sections. The U.S. budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) directly impact food security. The European heatwaves threaten crop yields, and the U.S. policy on farmland ownership is framed as a measure to protect the national food supply. Japan’s efforts to reduce food waste also align with ensuring sustainable food systems.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article highlights threats to this goal through cuts to U.S. federal health program spending, which are projected to increase the number of uninsured people. Additionally, the heatwaves in Europe endanger the health and safety of farm workers.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This is addressed in the context of the European heatwaves, where countries like France, Italy, and Greece have implemented measures to protect farm workers by banning fieldwork during the hottest parts of the day or mandating work breaks.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The section on Japan’s record-low food waste directly relates to this goal, focusing on reducing food loss and waste at both commercial and household levels.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This goal is explicitly mentioned through the Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) investments in global climate action. The heatwaves in Europe are presented as a direct consequence of climate change, highlighting the need for adaptation and resilience.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article touches on this goal by discussing the funding mechanisms of the Green Climate Fund, which relies on contributions from multiple countries. It also notes a significant challenge to this goal, citing the withdrawal of aid by top contributors and a projected drop in global official development assistance.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Explanation: The article details how the U.S. Budget Reconciliation Bill will cut US$287 billion from SNAP, causing “millions of U.S. families to lose some or all benefits” and resulting in “9 billion fewer meals” being provided. This directly undermines the target of ensuring access to sufficient food.
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…
   • Explanation: The budget bill’s cut of “US$1 trillion from federal health program spending” is projected by the CBO to “increase the number of uninsured by 10.9 million within ten years,” representing a significant setback for achieving universal health coverage.
3. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…
   • Explanation: In response to the heatwave, the article notes that France “banned fieldwork during the hottest times of the day to protect workers,” and Greece “imposed mandatory work breaks.” These actions are direct measures to promote a safe working environment for agricultural workers.
4. Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains…
   • Explanation: The section on Japan’s food waste is a direct report on progress toward this target. It states that Japan’s “food loss and waste dropped to 4.64 million tons in fiscal year 2023” and that the country reached its 2030 goal of halving business sector waste eight years early.
5. Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties… to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually… and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund…
   • Explanation: The article focuses on the Green Climate Fund (GCF), “the world’s largest multilateral climate fund,” announcing a “US$1.225 billion” round of financing. This directly relates to the operationalization and capitalization of the GCF as a key mechanism for climate finance.
6. Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments…
   • Explanation: The article highlights a challenge to this target by reporting that the GCF’s “top three contributors” (U.S., France, Germany, and the U.K. are mentioned) “all announced a withdrawal in aid,” which contributes to a “projected 17 percent drop in global official development assistance this year.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress (or regression) towards the identified targets.

• For Target 2.1 (End Hunger):
  • The article provides negative indicators, showing a reversal of progress. These include the “US$287 billion” cut from SNAP, the “9 billion” fewer meals to be provided, and the “millions of children” expected to lose access to school meals. These figures directly measure a reduction in access to food.
• For Target 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage):
  • A key indicator is the number of uninsured people. The article cites a CBO estimate that the cuts will “increase the number of uninsured by 10.9 million,” a direct measure of declining health coverage.
• For Target 12.3 (Reduce Food Waste):
  • The article provides a direct indicator of progress: Japan’s total food loss and waste, which “dropped to 4.64 million tons in fiscal year 2023.” It also notes that commercial food waste has “declined 58 percent since 2000.”
• For Target 13.a (Climate Finance):
  • The amount of financing committed by the GCF is a direct indicator. The article states the GCF committed “US$1.225 billion for 17 new projects” and has a total portfolio of “$18 billion in GCF financing.”
• For Target 17.2 (Development Assistance):
  • A clear indicator of a setback is the “projected 17 percent drop in global official development assistance” mentioned in the article, resulting from aid withdrawals by major donor countries.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.1: End hunger and ensure access to sufficient food.	– US$287 billion cut from SNAP. – 9 billion fewer meals provided nationwide. – Millions of families losing food benefits. – Millions of children losing access to school meals.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.8: Achieve universal health coverage.	– US$1 trillion cut from federal health program spending. – Projected increase of 10.9 million uninsured people.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.8: Promote safe and secure working environments.	– France banning fieldwork during hottest times. – Greece imposing mandatory work breaks for workers in temperatures over 40°C.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.3: Halve per capita global food waste.	– Japan’s food loss and waste dropped to 4.64 million tons. – Commercial food waste in Japan declined 58% since 2000. – Japan reached its 2030 goal of halving business sector waste.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.a: Fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund.	– GCF committed US$1.225 billion for 17 new projects. – Total GCF portfolio amounts to $18 billion in GCF financing.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	17.2: Developed countries to implement official development assistance commitments.	– Withdrawal of aid by top GCF contributors (U.S., France, Germany, U.K.). – A projected 17% drop in global official development assistance.

Source: foodtank.com