Combating food waste is at the heart of current challenges for our global economy and our environment. The recent report entitled “UN Food Waste Index Report 2024” published by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) highlights the extent of this problem and highlights its devastating consequences.
Food waste continues to weigh heavily on the global economy and fuel climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. In 2022, 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted, representing 132 kilograms per capita, or almost a fifth of all food available to consumers.
The report reveals that 60% of food waste takes place at the household level, 28% in food services and 12% in the retail sector. This reality is alarming and calls for rapid and coordinated action on a global scale.
Data collected since 2021 shows an increase in food waste monitoring, but many low- and middle-income countries still lack adequate systems to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to halve food waste by 2030 .
It is imperative that countries mobilize to implement concrete measures to reduce food waste, not only to fight world hunger, but also to limit negative impacts on the climate and nature. By taking concrete actions and adopting sustainable practices, we can reverse the trend of food waste and move towards achieving the Global Goals.
In conclusion, the UNEP report highlights the urgency of action to reduce food waste and its repercussions on the economy, society and the environment. It is time for everyone, from governments to businesses to consumers, to commit to sustainable solutions to put an end to this unnecessary and destructive waste.