{"id":1576392,"date":"2024-03-27T12:31:41","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1676544"},"modified":"2024-03-27T12:31:41","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:31:41","slug":"humans-waste-over-one-billion-meals-a-day-how-can-this-even-be-justified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/03\/27\/humans-waste-over-one-billion-meals-a-day-how-can-this-even-be-justified\/","title":{"rendered":"Humans waste over one BILLION meals a day. How can this even be justified?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Households across all continents wasted over one billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people were affected by hunger and a third of humanity faced food insecurity. Food waste continues to hurt the global economy and fuel the climate crisis<\/a>, nature loss, and pollution. These are the key findings of a UN<\/a> Environment Programme (UNEP) food waste report published on Wednesday 27 March, ahead of the International Day of Zero Waste.<\/p>\n The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, co-authored with WRAP, provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels. It provides guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste.<\/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% happened at the household level, with food services responsible for 28 per cent and retail 12 per cent.<\/p>\n Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, said:<\/p>\n Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world. Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Key points from the report include:<\/p>\n Since 2021, there\u2019s been a strengthening of the data infrastructure with more studies tracking food waste. Globally, the number of data points at the household level almost doubled.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, many low- and middle-income countries continue to lack adequate systems for tracking progress to meet Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030, particularly in retail and food services.<\/p>\n Only four G20 countries (Australia, Japan, UK, the US) and the European Union have food waste estimates suitable for tracking progress to 2030. Canada and Saudi Arabia have suitable household estimates, with Brazil\u2019s estimate expected late 2024. In this context, the report serves as a practical guide for countries to consistently measure and report food waste.<\/p>\n Harriet Lamb, CEO of UK climate action NGO WRAP<\/a>, said:<\/p>\n With the huge cost to the environment, society, and global economies caused by food waste, we need greater coordinated action across continents and supply chains. We support UNEP in calling for more G20 countries to measure food waste and work towards SDG12.3.<\/p>\n This is critical to ensuring food feeds people, not landfills. Public-Private Partnerships are one key tool delivering results today, but they require support: whether philanthropic, business, or governmental, actors must rally behind programmes addressing the enormous impact wasting food has on food security, our climate, and our wallets.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Featured image via BBC London – YouTube<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n By The Canary<\/a><\/p>\n\nUNEP food waste report<\/h2>\n
One billion meals wasted<\/h2>\n
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UNEP food waste report: countries lack ‘adequate systems’<\/h2>\n
Food must ‘feed people – not landfills’<\/h2>\n