Households across all continents wasted over 1 billion meals a day in\u00a02022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and a third of humanity faced food\u00a0insecurity.<\/p>\n
Food waste continues to hurt the global economy and fuel climate change, nature loss, and pollution. These are the key findings of a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report published today<\/a>, ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 132 kilos per capita<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2022 there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kilograms per capita and almost one-fifth of all food available to consumers. Out of the total food wasted in 2022, 60 per cent happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent.<\/p>\n \u201cFood waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world,\u201d said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. \u201cNot only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature. The good news is we know if countries prioritise this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals.\u201d<\/p>\n Up to 10% of emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n According to recent data, food loss and waste generates 8-10 per cent of annual global\u00a0greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions \u2013 almost 5 times that of the aviation sector \u2013 and significant\u00a0biodiversity loss by taking up the equivalent of almost a third of the world\u2019s agricultural land. The\u00a0toll of both food loss and waste on the global economy is estimated at roughly USD 1 trillion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nAdditional links:<\/h4>\n