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A new UN study revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19% of the food produced globally in 2022, or about 1.05 billion metric tons. This is contained in the U.N. Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report, published recently. The study appealed for halving food waste by 2030
A new UN study revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19% of the food produced globally in 2022, or about 1.05 billion metric tons. This is contained in the U.N. Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report, published recently. The study appealed for halving food waste by 2030.
The U.N. said the number of countries reporting for the index nearly doubled from the first report in 2021. The 2021 report estimated that 17% of the food produced globally in 2019, or 931 million metric tons (1.03 billion tons), was wasted. The report warned against direct comparisons because of the lack of sufficient data from many countries. The report is co-authored by UNEP and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Researchers analyzed country data on households, food service, and retailers. They found that each person wastes about 79 kilograms (about 174 pounds) of food annually, equal to at least 1 billion meals wasted worldwide daily. Most of the waste — 60% — came in households. About 28% came from food service, or restaurants, with about 12% from retailers.
Estimates indicate that close to 783 million people around the world face chronic hunger and many places facing deepening food crises. The Israel-Hamas war and violence in Haiti have worsened the crisis. The report pinpoints two regions where hunger will be imminent -northern Gaza and Haiti.
Food waste is also a global concern because of the environmental toll of production. Food loss and waste generate 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If it were a country, it would rank third after China and the U.S.
The report showed notable growth in coverage of food waste in low- and middle-income countries, the authors said. But it may fall to wealthier nations to lead in international cooperation and policy development to reduce food waste, they said.
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The report said many governments, and regional and industry groups are using public-private partnerships to reduce food waste and its contributions to climate and water stress. Governments and municipalities collaborate with businesses in the food supply chain, whereby businesses commit to measure food waste.
