On September 29, the world observes the fifth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. This year’s theme, “Climate Finance for Food Loss and Waste Reduction,” highlights the vital connection between food waste and climate action. As the global community strives to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically the goal of halving food waste by 2030, reducing food waste has emerged as a key strategy to curb emissions and tackle environmental challenges.

The UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest Food Waste Index Report reveals that food waste accounted for 19 percent of all food available to consumers in 2022. Alarmingly, this figure coexists with a grim reality: 783 million people were affected by hunger during the same period. These statistics underscore the stark imbalance between waste and need, with household and retail food waste driving a significant portion of the problem.

Households alone contribute to 60 percent of global food waste, wasting an astonishing one billion meals per day-an amount that could feed over 780 million people affected by hunger. This translates into approximately 1.3 meals wasted for every person struggling with food insecurity. Contrary to popular belief, food waste is not an issue exclusive to wealthier nations. High-, upper-middle-, and lower-middle-income countries show only a marginal difference of 7 kilograms in per capita household food waste annually.

As the global population continues to expand, projected to reach more than 9 billion by 2050 from the 7.2 billion recorded in 2010, food demand will soar by an estimated 60 percent. This growing demand amplifies the need for efficient and sustainable food systems that can address both food security and environmental concerns.

Food waste is not only a moral issue but also an environmental one. Wasting food exacerbates climate change by generating 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every stage of food production-growing, processing, transporting, and eventually disposing of food-consumes energy and resources that contribute to carbon emissions. When food is discarded, these embedded emissions are wasted, and organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Addressing this challenge demands more than just individual efforts; it requires a systemic transformation of the entire food system. Reimagining sustainable food systems must prioritize the production of sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food while conserving natural resources and ecosystems. This balance is critical for a future that ensures food security and environmental sustainability.

To effectively combat food waste, reliable data is essential. Accurate measurement of food loss and waste is key to making informed decisions and implementing effective solutions. However, as of now, only a small number of countries have gathered comprehensive data on food waste. This lack of information hampers efforts to understand the scope of the issue, identify the main causes of food waste, and evaluate the success of interventions.

The UN’s Food Waste Index provides a valuable tool for countries to consistently measure food waste and track their progress. By establishing strong national baselines and collecting data regularly, countries can set meaningful targets, adopt tailored strategies, and monitor their results over time. Unfortunately, without robust data, it is difficult to gauge the true impact of food waste and to hold governments and industries accountable for progress.

The challenge of reducing food waste is particularly pronounced in West Asia, where an estimated 100 to 150 kilograms per capita of food waste is generated annually at the household level. The region faces severe climate stress, including extreme heat and water scarcity, which complicates food production and storage. Additionally, West Asia is highly reliant on food imports to meet its nutritional needs, making food waste even more problematic.

Cultural diversity, varied diets, and complex food traditions also contribute to higher levels of waste. Moreover, the region’s infrastructure-particularly its cold storage systems-lags behind, further increasing the risk of food spoilage. Armed conflicts in several countries exacerbate these problems, disrupting supply chains and hindering efforts to reduce food loss.

Climate change worsens these challenges. Rising temperatures, extreme heat events, and droughts make it difficult to store, transport, and sell food safely, leading to significant waste. In the face of these regional challenges, addressing food waste is not just a matter of better consumer behavior but a necessity for economic and environmental survival.

Despite the growing awareness of the need to reduce food waste, only 21 countries have included food loss and waste reduction in their national climate plans as of 2022. This represents a missed opportunity to make meaningful progress toward achieving the UN’s climate goals. However, the 2025 revision process for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) offers a chance to raise ambition and incorporate food waste reduction into national strategies.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has played a key role in promoting food waste reduction, launching initiatives like the “Recipe of Change” campaign, which targets households, the hospitality industry, retail sectors, and educational institutions. One notable success of the campaign took place during Ramadan, in collaboration with the Hilton Hotels chain. The initiative led to a 61 percent reduction in food waste in hotel kitchens in 2023 and a further 21 percent in 2024, proving that collective action can make a significant difference.

Furthermore, UNEP is supporting the Global Cooling Pledge, which aims to improve cooling systems in the food supply chain. Efficient cooling technologies can dramatically reduce food waste by preventing spoilage and prolonging the shelf life of perishable items, particularly in regions prone to extreme heat.

As the world marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, it is critical to emphasize the need for climate financing to support food waste reduction efforts. Reducing food waste not only helps alleviate hunger but also plays a vital role in meeting global climate goals. Securing financial resources for these initiatives will be crucial for advancing the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Solving the problem of food waste requires collective action on multiple fronts-data collection, behavior change, robust national policies, and international cooperation. By integrating food waste solutions into climate plans and national strategies, countries can make significant strides toward a more sustainable future.

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