UN Geneva press briefing on Food Loss and Waste

 Ahead of the commemorations of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste celebrated on 29 September 2022, FAO and UNEP jointly briefed UN Geneva correspondents on the importance of the day, highlighting that reducing food loss and waste presents an opportunity for immediate climate benefits while improving the overall sustainability of our food systems.

Rosa Rolle, Team Leader, Food Losses and Waste at the Food and Nutrition Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), connecting from Rome, said that food losses and waste were a global problem. Over the past two years, agrifood systems had been affected by the pandemic, climate change, and the war in Ukraine. A considerable quantity of food was lost in food chain, prior to retail, she said. Reducing food loss and waste was critical for making agrifood systems more efficient and sustainable, and for securing food around the world. She also informed on the global virtual high-level event to commemorate the international day held on 29 September.

Mark Radka, Chief, Energy and Climate Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), connecting from Paris, said that one of the goals was to raise awareness among consumers on what they could do to cut food waste. About 20 percent of all food available for human consumption was being wasted, warned Mr. Radka. There was evidence that household food waste was generated at similar per capita levels regardless of the country’s income levels. Food waste counted for some 8 to 10 percent of global greenhouse emissions – an issue largely overlooked by country’s national determined contributions under Agenda 2030. UNEP recognized that developing countries needed support in both measuring and limiting the scope of waste.

Source: United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Geneva available in public domain

Related links:

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste