By Samuel Ogunsona
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched its 2024 Food Waste Index Report.
It will provide latest estimates of global food waste.
The report was launched on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, to mark the second annual international day of zero waste.
The International Day of Zero Waste highlights both the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
According to UNEP “Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Some 2.7 billion people lack access to waste collection, 2 billion of whom live in rural areas. Waste pollution significantly threatens human well-being, economic prosperity, and the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. Without urgent action, annual municipal solid waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050”
However, the report would give deeper insight on the latest global estimates of food waste, occurring at retail and consumer level.
Addressing food waste is an important facet of embracing zero waste and tackling the climate crisis. Leading experts on food waste will highlight the report’s findings and recommendations.