A new report from the United Nations sheds light on a concerning problem: despite 783 million people experiencing hunger globally, more than 1 billion meals are needlessly wasted on a daily basis. This revelation highlights the urgent issue of global food waste, which has far-reaching consequences for the economy and the environment. It contributes to economic strains and environmental degradation, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The report, published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on the eve of the International Day of Zero Waste, highlights the significant impact of wasting food resources.
In 2022, a staggering amount of food waste was generated, totaling 1.05 billion metric tonnes. This amounts to approximately 132 kilogrammes per person and accounts for nearly one-fifth of all available food. Surprisingly, a significant portion of this waste happened within households, while food services and retail sectors were also responsible for a considerable amount.
It is important to note that food waste is not limited to affluent nations, despite common misconceptions. A recent report by the UN highlights the similarities in household food waste across different income levels and regions. Interestingly, it suggests that countries with hotter climates tend to have higher per capita waste. It is quite remarkable that a mere 21 countries have included food loss and waste reduction in their national climate plans. This highlights a substantial gap in global efforts to tackle this issue.
Harriet Lamb, the CEO of WRAP, a UK-based global NGO, highlights the pressing requirement for collaborative efforts to address the detrimental impact of food waste on the environment, society, and economies. Lamb highlights the importance of G20 countries taking a more active role in measuring food waste and promoting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which seeks to minimise food loss and waste. According to Lamb, the collaboration between public and private sectors is crucial for achieving concrete outcomes, but it heavily relies on support from philanthropic, business, and governmental organisations.
The significance of reducing food loss and waste is highlighted by SDG 12.3, as it aims to improve food system efficiency, ensure food security and nutrition, and promote environmental sustainability.
A recent collaboration in Cameroon between the government and the World Food Programme has shed light on the importance of school feeding programmes in tackling hunger. These programmes play a vital role in supporting thousands of vulnerable children by focusing on those who suffer from hunger. Understanding and tackling childhood hunger not only helps to alleviate suffering but also plays a role in reducing global food waste.
Addressing food waste necessitates collaborative endeavours at the local, national, and global scales. Through the implementation of school feeding programmes and the promotion of public-private partnerships, societies can effectively address the significant consequences of food waste on food security, climate change, and economies.
