With up to 783 million people in the world still facing hunger and more than 3.1 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet, it is essential that we tackle food loss and waste.
Today, 13% of food produced is lost after harvest and before it reaches store shelves (FAO, 2022), while a staggering further 19% is wasted in our homes, supermarkets and restaurants (UNEP, 2023).
Food that is wasted is responsible for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2019) and has occupied 28% of the world’s agricultural area. Moreover, the amount of food loss due to lack of an effective cold chain is enough to feed an estimated 1 billion people.
Yet, reducing food loss and waste is recognized as a top solution for curtailing GHG emissions. Shifting consumer behavior, working collaboratively across value chains, and increasing circularity in food systems to keep food out of landfills will tackle climate change, while saving money, strengthening food security, and protecting biodiversity. Populations in many countries depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, making cold chains a powerful tool to boost incomes and foster economic growth.
Our work on Food systems cuts across a number of initiatives, MEAs, partnerships and other key entities.
