Despite 783 million people facing hunger and a third of humanity
experiencing food insecurity, households across continents wasted over 1 billion meals daily in
2022.
In 2022, 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted, equivalent to 132
kilograms per person annually, exacerbating hunger and environmental issues.
60% of food waste occurs at the household level, highlighting the need
for interventions targeting consumer behavior and food management practices.
Contrary to popular belief, food waste is not solely a problem of
prosperous nations. It spans economic boundaries, with minimal differences in waste levels
between high and middle-income countries.
Warmer climates correlate with increased household food waste per
capita, driven by factors like increased consumption of fresh foods and insufficient
refrigeration infrastructure.
Food waste generates 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, costing
around USD 1 trillion, emphasizing the urgent need for action on climate change and biodiversity
loss.
The report serves as a wake-up call, urging countries to prioritize
efforts to reduce food waste and ensure food security for all.