Governance models based on subject participation and their effectiveness regarding anti-food waste in China

Summary

This policy analysis examines anti-food waste governance models in China by analysing 489 policy texts spanning 1955–2023, identifying three primary stakeholder-participation models and evaluating their differential effectiveness across food commodity types. The study finds that whilst these governance models significantly reduce waste in certain product categories, their simple superposition does not effectively inhibit food waste, and governance implementation typically lags behind policy introduction. The research predicts that Chinese food waste will trend upward through 2030 under current trajectories but proposes an optimised governance scheme combining multiple model strengths to achieve more effective reduction.

UK applicability

The governance classification framework and effectiveness evaluation methodology may offer transferable insights for UK food waste policy design, particularly in identifying weak governance links. However, direct applicability is limited by differences in China's policy apparatus, supply chain structures, and commodity production profiles; UK policymakers would need to adapt the approach to domestic governance institutions and food systems.

Key measures

Classification of governance subjects and models; effectiveness ratings for reduction of vegetable, milk, soybean, fruit, nut and egg waste; predicted food waste volumes under different governance scenarios for 2024–2030

Outcomes reported

The study classified three primary anti-food waste governance models (government-led, government-enterprise cooperation, and social organization-facilitated) and evaluated their effectiveness in reducing waste of specific food commodities. Scenario predictions modelled food waste trajectories under different governance schemes for 2024–2030 and identified an optimal governance approach.

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