While Some Parts Suffer From Hunger, Rest Of The World Wastes One-Fifth Of Food Supplies
The staggering figures from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2024 paint a heart-wrenching picture of global food wastage. In 2022 alone, a shocking 1.05 billion tonnes of food, including inedible parts, were wasted worldwide. This waste amounted to nearly one-fifth of all food available to consumers. Each person, on average, contributed to this waste by squandering 79 kg of food annually in households globally, with India's per capita waste slightly lower at 55 kg per year.
The report's findings are not just alarming but deeply troubling. It highlights the stark reality that while billions of tons of food are thrown away, millions of people around the world suffer from hunger and food insecurity. This stark disparity is a poignant reminder of the unjust distribution of resources and the urgent need for change.
Moreover, the economic impact of this food waste is staggering, estimated at around $1 trillion. This colossal loss not only affects economies but also exacerbates environmental challenges. The report underscores that food loss and waste contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with 8-10% of annual global emissions attributed to this wastage.
What makes this issue even more pressing is the lack of comprehensive action on a global scale. Only a handful of countries, including some G20 nations, have incorporated food waste reduction into their national climate plans. This lack of concerted effort is concerning, especially considering the potential for food waste reduction to contribute significantly to climate goals.
In light of these findings, the Food Waste Index report serves as a poignant wake-up call for nations to prioritize food waste reduction in their climate strategies. It's imperative that countries, particularly low- and middle-income ones, enhance their tracking and reporting mechanisms to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030. Failure to do so not only perpetuates food insecurity but also hampers global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
