We've known for a while that not all of the world's food is eaten - but how much of it is wasted wasn't entirely clear, until the UN completed some new research in 2021.
The Food Waste Index Report 2021, from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organisation WRAP, detailed that in 2019 approximately 931 million tonnes of food - 17 per cent of the total amount available to consumers - went to waste.
This would be enough to fill 23 million, fully loaded 40-tonne trucks, which bumper-to-bumper would circle the world seven times.
The report identified 152 data points concerning food waste over 54 countries and found that nearly every country that measured their food waste had substantial food waste - household food waste sat at 11 per cent, on average, which was higher than food services at 5 per cent and retail outlets at 2 per cent. Income level wasn't a factor.
On a global-per-capita level, this equates to 121 kilograms of consumer-level food wasted each year, with households accounting for 74 kilograms of it.
Devastating impacts
Wasting food has a substantial impact on the environment, societies and economies.
For example, at a critical time for climate action, 8-10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food waste.
"If we want to get serious about tackling climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste, businesses, governments and citizens around the world have to do their part to reduce food waste," says UNEP executive director Inger Andersen.
Nearly 700 million people were affected by hunger in 2019, a number expected to rise with COVID-19. Worldwide, three billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet. Reducing food waste at home seems the least we can do.
Not just a first world problem
"For a long time, it was assumed that food waste in the home was a significant problem only in developed countries," says Marcus Gover, CEO of WRAP.
"With the publication of the Food Waste Index report, we see that things are not so clear cut.
The UN's Sustainable Development Goal 12 Target 3 ("SDG 12.3") aims to halve the amount of food waste produced at both retail and household levels, in order to lower the environmental and economic impact of waste.
"With only nine years to go, we will not achieve SDG 12.3 if we do not significantly increase investment in tackling food waste in the home globally," says Gover.
"This must be a priority for governments, international organisations, businesses and philanthropic foundations."
- Published in partnership with Cosmos Magazine. See cosmosmagazine.com.
