International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) is observed annually on September 29, co-convened by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, the day aims to raise global awareness about the critical issue of food loss and waste and its impact on food security, the environment, and the economy. The first observance of this day took place in 2020, and it has since become a key event in promoting the reduction of food loss and waste worldwide.
One of the main goals of IDAFLW is to encourage collective action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 12.3, which aims to halve per capita food waste at the retail and consumer level by 2030 and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. The day highlights the need to address this pressing issue, as 13% of food produced is lost and 19% of food available to consumers is wasted, while more than 700 million people are affected by hunger and malnutrition, and food loss and waste generates 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The day is marked by a high-level event convened by UNEP and FAO, together with a growing number of IDAFLW-affiliated workshops and advocacy events hosted around the world. These events are aligned with the annual theme of the International Day, and promote innovative solutions, behaviour change and collaboration.
Food is Never Waste Coalition
The Food is Never Waste Coalition was launched at the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit in Rome, in 2021, to take forward the 2030 Agenda, accelerating the pace of food loss and waste reduction and achieve SDG target 12.3, to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses, by 2030. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Resources Institute (WRI) lead this coalition.
The Food is Never Waste Coalition aims to foster multi-sector partnerships that enable food waste reduction efforts across the supply chain—from production and retail to consumers. This includes sharing best practices, innovative solutions, and encouraging behavioral change among consumers to minimize household food waste. In addition, the coalition promotes policy alignment, helping governments integrate food loss and waste reduction into national strategies, and working closely with businesses to optimize food supply chains, improve efficiency, and prevent losses during production, storage, and distribution.
The Coalition plays a pivotal role in advocating for food loss and waste reduction at high profile international events, such as the United Nations Food Systems Summit, the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Global Conference, Climate and Biodiversity COPs, and World Food Day, increasing integration in global environmental processes and expanding public engagement. By convening member states, cities, and other key stakeholders, the Coalition is driving efforts to build more sustainable, inclusive, and circular food systems.
MACS-G20 Collaboration Initiative on Food Loss and Waste
UNEP and the Thünen Institute work together to drive regional action and collaboration in the context of the Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists of G20 States (MACS-G20) Initiative on Food Loss and Waste. Together with the G20 host country each year, Thünen Institute, UNEP and partners host a workshop focused on strategies for reducing food loss and waste in the region.
The annual workshop aims to build capacity and facilitate the exchange of experiences at the regional-level, aiming not only to mitigate food waste, but also to serve as a platform for implementing joint actions and securing funding for research, development, and innovation (RDI) projects.
The MACS-G20 Collaboration Initiative on Food Loss and Waste is a strategic partnership aimed at addressing the critical issue of food waste on a global scale. Launched under the G20 Presidency of Turkey in 2015, this initiative is designed to foster collaboration among the Multi-Stakeholder Action Coalition (MACS) and the G20 member countries, emphasizing the urgent need to reduce food loss and waste as part of the broader agenda for sustainable development.
The initiative seeks to align efforts across various sectors, including government, business, academia, and civil society, to develop and implement effective strategies for reducing food waste throughout the food supply chain. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of its partners, the MACS-G20 Collaboration Initiative promotes the sharing of best practices, innovative technologies, and policy frameworks that can significantly impact food waste reduction efforts.
Key objectives of the initiative include raising awareness of the magnitude and implications of food loss and waste, enhancing data collection and analysis to inform decision-making, and encouraging the adoption of circular economy principles within food systems. The MACS-G20 initiative also aims to drive investment in sustainable food practices, supporting projects that target food waste reduction at local, national, and global levels.
Through collaborative actions, the MACS-G20 initiative addresses the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of food waste, highlighting its role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030. By fostering a culture of cooperation and shared responsibility, the MACS-G20 Collaboration Initiative on Food Loss and Waste aspires to create a more sustainable food system that not only reduces waste but also enhances food security for vulnerable populations worldwide.
Champions 12.3
UNEP is a founding member of Champions 12.3, a coalition of executives from the private and public sector dedicated to accelerating progress towards SDG 12.3. Established in 2016, this initiative brings together government officials, business executives, and representatives from civil society to mobilize action, share best practices, and enhance collaboration in reducing food loss and waste.
Members of Champions 12.3 lead by example, implementing initiatives within their organizations and communities that demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of food waste reduction strategies. Champions convene throughout the year to assess global progress towards SDG 12.3, share learnings of their organization in tackling food loss and waste and overcoming barriers, and identify gaps or opportunities for policy, investment, and innovation efforts. The coalition publishes annual progress reports and guidance on topics related to food loss and waste, including the Business Case for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Consumer Behaviour Change Guide to help more people waste less food.
Recipe of Change
The Recipe of Change campaign was launched in 2021 by UNEP’s Regional Office for West Asia with the support of the GO4SDGs initiative. The campaign specifically engages the hospitality sector in measurement of guest and kitchen and implementation of prevention and reduction methods. In 2023, as part of the Green Ramadan initiative, the Recipe of Change campaign was implemented in three Hilton Hotel locations in West Asia, focusing on promoting behavioral changes, food waste tracking, and menu optimization in partnership with Winnow technology. This pilot achieved a significant food waste reduction of over 60% during Ramadan, underscoring the hospitality sector's role in advancing SDG 12.3.
In 2024, the initiative was expanded to reach 32 Hilton hotels across seven countries (Turkey, Malaysia, UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain) through enhanced training and capacity-building activities based on insights from the 2023 campaign. As a result, food waste was reduced by 21% throughout Ramadan 2024, culminating in an impressive 74% reduction in total food waste compared to the 2023 baseline.
UNEP, with the support of GO4SDGs and under the framework of 10YFP/OPN, is currently developing a Recipe of Change toolkit to further scale the initiative across the hospitality sector. During the 2024 International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW 2024), the campaign was rolled out globally in collaboration with various partners, utilizing advocacy materials to drive behavioral change and showcase impactful actions.
