The UNEP Food Waste Index Report is an assessment that tracks global progress in reducing food waste. It aims to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which targets halving per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030. The report, first published in 2021, compiles data to evaluate the scale of food waste and the effectiveness of interventions across different countries.
What does the 2024 Food Waste Index Report highlight?
The 2024 report emphasizes the critical issue of food waste globally and stresses the importance of systemic solutions to address it. It highlights public-private partnerships as a key strategy for reducing food waste, improving food security, and lessening environmental impacts. The report also underlines the need for accurate, locally-tailored food waste data to develop effective solutions.
How much food was wasted globally in 2022?
According to the 2024 report, the world wasted approximately 1.05 billion tonnes of food in 2022. This represents about 19% of all food available to consumers at the retail, food service, and household levels, in addition to 13% of the world’s food lost in the supply chain from post-harvest up to the retail stage.
Where does most of the food waste occur?
The majority of food waste occurs in households, which accounted for 631 million tonnes, or about 60% of the total food wasted in 2022. The food service sector was responsible for 290 million tonnes, while the retail sector accounted for 131 million tonnes of food waste.
What are the environmental impacts of food waste?
Food loss and waste contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generating between 8-10% of global emissions. This is nearly five times the total emissions from the aviation sector. Reducing food waste is therefore not only crucial for food security but also for mitigating climate change.
Why is reducing food waste important?
Reducing food waste is essential for several reasons:
●It decreases the environmental impact, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.
● It addresses food insecurity by potentially redirecting food that would otherwise be wasted to those in need.
● It has economic benefits by reducing the cost associated with lost and wasted food across the supply chain.
These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of the findings and implications of the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, highlighting the importance of global efforts to reduce food waste in the context of sustainable development goals.
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