Event World Day
International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste 2024
On 29 September, the international community celebrates the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, recognizing the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition. Across global food systems, food loss and waste is a widespread issue, posing a challenge to food security, food safety, the economy, and environmental sustainability. Actions are required globally and locally to maximize the use of the food we produce.
About
On 29 September 2024, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste will be observed for the fifth time. The observation will highlight the critical need for financing to bolster efforts to reduce food loss and waste, contribute to achieving climate goals and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The world produces enough food to feed everyone, and yet millions suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Food loss and waste exacerbate this problem by reducing the amount of food available for consumption, thus contributing to food insecurity. Many of the most highly nutritious foods, such as fresh produce, fishery, and animal products are highly perishable and sustain high levels of food loss.
Food loss and waste also translate into a substantial economic loss. This impacts not only producers but also consumers and nations, not to mention livelihoods and economic stability. Moreover, food waste in landfills contributes to 8 to 10 percent of total agrifood system emissions, impacting climate change and environmental sustainability.
Reducing food loss and waste is a climate solution, which countries and communities can employ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Successfully doing so will require a significant increase in the quality and quantity of accessible climate finance
Reducing Food Loss and Waste: Taking Action to Transform Food Systems
Reducing food losses and waste is essential in a world where the number of people affected by hunger has been slowly on the rise since 2014, and tons and tons of edible food are lost and/or wasted every day.
Globally, around 13 percent of food produced is lost between harvest and retail, while an estimated 17 percent of total global food production is wasted in households, in the food service and in retail all together.
The International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, with the 2024 theme “Climate Finance for Food Loss and Waste Reduction”, calls on public and private entities across the food system, as well as consumers, to unite in reducing food loss and waste.
Role of International Geneva
Our dedicated page on Food Loss and Waste dives deeper into issues at the nexus of food systems and the environment. It also lists relevant actions and actors in the Geneva region. Find out more below.
Official Celebration
A global virtual event will be convened by FAO and UNEP on 27 September at 13:30 CEST in observance of the fifth International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. → Register to attend on Zoom
