The UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 highlights that latest data from 2022 shows 1.05 billion tonnes of food went to waste.
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Some 19 per cent of food available to consumers was lost overall at retail, food service, and household levels.
That is in addition to around 13 per cent of food lost in the supply chain, as estimated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), from post-harvest up to the point of sale.
‘Global tragedy’
“Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, explaining that this ongoing issue not only impacts the global economy but also exacerbates climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Most of the world’s food waste comes from households, totalling 631 million tonnes – or up to 60 per cent – of the total food squandered. The food service and retail sectors were responsible for 290 and 131 million tonnes accordingly.
On average, each person wastes 79 kilogrammes of food annually. This is the equivalent of 1.3 meals every day for everyone in the world impacted by hunger, the report authors underscore.
Not just a ‘rich country’ problem
The problem is not confined to affluent nations. Following a near doubling of data coverage since the 2021 Food Waste Index Report was published, there has been increased convergence between rich and poor.
High-income, upper-middle income, and lower-middle income countries differ in average levels of household food waste by just seven kilogrammes per capita per year.
The bigger divide comes in the variations between urban and rural populations.
In middle-income countries, for example, rural areas are generally wasting less. One possible explanation is in the recycling of food scraps for pets, animal feed, and home composting in the countryside.
The report recommends focusing efforts on strengthening food waste reduction and composting in cities.
Waste and climate change
There is a direct correlation between average temperatures and food waste levels, the report finds.
Hotter countries appear to have more food waste per capita in households, potentially due to increased consumption of fresh foods containing fewer edible parts and a lack of robust refrigeration and preservation solutions.
Higher seasonal temperatures, extreme heat events, and droughts make it more challenging to store, process, transport, and sell food safely, often leading to a significant volume of food being wasted or lost.
Since food loss and waste generates up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions – almost five times the total emissions compared to the aviation sector – reducing emissions from food waste is essential, UNEP expert believe.
Food for hope
There is room for optimism, the report suggests: public-private partnerships to reduce food waste and impacts on climate and water stress are being embraced by a steadily growing number of governments of all levels.
Examples include Japan and the UK with reductions of 18 per cent and 31 per cent respectively, showing that change at scale is possible, if food is rationed properly.
Published ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste, the UNEP Food Waste Index Report, has been co-authored with WRAP, a UK climate action NGO.
It provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels, offering countries guidance on improving data collection and best practices, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030.
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
Isn’t it shocking that while 783 million people are going hungry, a fifth of all food is being wasted? What actions can be taken to address this global tragedy?
It is indeed shocking how much food is wasted while many go hungry. To address this global tragedy, we need collaborative efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals to reduce food waste, improve distribution systems, and raise awareness about the issue. Small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference in tackling this critical issue.
Isn’t it alarming that so much food is wasted while millions are going hungry? What can we do to address this global issue?
It is indeed concerning to see such a significant amount of food being wasted while many people around the world suffer from hunger. To tackle this global issue, we need to focus on raising awareness, promoting sustainable consumption habits, supporting food recovery initiatives, and holding food industries accountable for their waste. Each of us can make a difference by being mindful of our own food consumption and reducing food waste at home.
Why are we still struggling with such massive food waste when there are so many people in need of food? What solutions are being proposed to address this issue effectively?
Food waste remains a pressing issue that demands urgent attention. To tackle this global tragedy, we need a combination of individual actions and systemic changes. Solutions such as improved food distribution networks, enhanced food storage facilities, and public education campaigns on reducing food waste are being proposed. It is crucial for all of us to play our part in minimizing food wastage and ensuring a more sustainable future for all.
Food waste is indeed a global tragedy. It’s heartbreaking to think that while millions go hungry, so much food is being wasted. We need to address this issue urgently to prevent further impact on our economy and environment. Every person plays a role in reducing food waste, starting from our own households.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see that a fifth of our food is wasted while so many people around the world are suffering from hunger. We all need to take responsibility and work towards reducing food waste to ensure a better future for everyone.
Why are we still wasting such a huge amount of food when so many people are hungry? Isn’t there a better way to manage our food resources?
Food waste remains a pressing issue that requires urgent action. It’s disheartening to see such vast amounts of food being wasted while millions are hungry. Effective management of our food resources is crucial to address this global challenge.
It’s truly heart-breaking to see that a fifth of our food is being wasted while millions around the world go hungry every day. We must take immediate action to address this global tragedy and minimize the impact on our economy, environment, and society.
Food waste is indeed a global tragedy. We must all do our part to reduce it and ensure that resources are used more efficiently to help alleviate hunger and combat environmental issues.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see so much food being wasted while millions of people around the world are still hungry. We need to take immediate action to address this global tragedy and reduce food waste at all levels of the supply chain.
Food waste is truly a global tragedy impacting millions who go hungry every day. It’s not just a problem in rich countries – it affects us all. We need to address this issue urgently to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.