In a startling revelation, the U.N. has reported that nearly one-fifth of the food produced globally in 2022 was wasted, despite one-third of the world’s population facing hunger. The report from the U.N. Environment Program’s Food Waste Index shows that out of the 1.05 billion tons of food waste, 60 percent came from households, while the food service and retail sectors were responsible for 28 percent and 12 percent, respectively. This figure is higher than the previous report in 2019, and it highlights the urgent need for action to reduce food waste on a global scale.
Japan has made significant strides in reducing its food waste, with a decrease of 31 percent in 2020 compared to 2008. The country is among only four countries in the G20 and European Union with suitable waste estimates to track progress towards the target year of halving food waste by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On average, each person discards approximately 79 kilograms of food annually, equivalent to almost three meals per day for those impacted by hunger globally. The report also underscores how food loss and waste contribute significantly to climate change, generating up to 8-10 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the development issue and substantial costs to both climate and nature caused by unnecessary waste. The report called for G20 countries to take a lead in international cooperation and policy development to achieve this goal and share expertise with other countries starting to address this issue.
The issue of food waste is not only an economic problem but also a moral imperative that demands immediate action from governments around the world. By reducing food waste on a global scale, we can ensure that more people have access to nutritious meals and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time.