A new United Nations report has revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19% of the food produced globally in 2022, amounting to approximately 1.05 billion metric tons. The report, published by the U.N. Environment Programme, aims to track the progress of countries in halving food waste by 2030. The number of countries reporting for the index almost doubled from the first report in 2021. While the 2021 report estimated that 17% of global food produced in 2019 was wasted, the lack of sufficient data from many countries prevents direct comparisons.
The report, co-authored by UNEP and WRAP, analyzed data from countries on households, food service, and retailers. It found that each person wastes about 79 kilograms of food annually, equivalent to at least 1 billion meals wasted daily worldwide. The majority of the waste, around 60%, came from households, while food service contributed about 28% and retailers about 12%. Co-author Clementine O’Connor emphasized the importance of collaboration and systemic action to tackle this widespread issue.
Food waste is a critical global concern not only due to its impact on hunger but also for its environmental toll. The production of food requires significant resources such as land and water, leading to greenhouse gas emissions like methane, a powerful gas contributing to global warming. Food loss and waste generate 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, ranking it as the third highest emitter after China and the U.S. This environmental impact underscores the urgency of addressing food waste.
Experts have highlighted that food waste further disadvantages individuals who are already food insecure, hindering their access to nutritious diets. Fadila Jumare, a project associate at Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, emphasized the impact of food waste on the poorest populations. Brian Roe, a food waste researcher at Ohio State University, noted that reducing food waste can lead to resource conservation, environmental protection, food security, and more efficient land use. The index plays a crucial role in addressing food waste globally.
While low- and middle-income countries are making progress in addressing food waste, wealthier nations are encouraged to take the lead in international cooperation and policy development on this issue. Many governments, industry groups, and regional organizations are employing public-private partnerships to reduce food waste and its environmental impact. Initiatives such as food redistribution, where surplus food is donated to food banks and charities, play a significant role in reducing waste. Food Banking Kenya is one such organization working to redistribute surplus food to vulnerable populations while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The report’s authors emphasized that food waste is a global problem affecting all nations, not just high-income countries. Richard Swannel, a co-author and director of Impact Growth at WRAP, highlighted the need for collective action to tackle food waste. He emphasized that the data shows a clear problem that can be addressed to save money and reduce environmental impact. The report underscores the urgency of addressing food waste to ensure food security, reduce environmental impact, and support vulnerable populations globally.
