Global environmental action NGO WRAP will use London Climate Action Week (LCAW) as the first in a series of international events to change the narrative around global food waste, showing that we have Everything to gain – nothing to waste by acting on one of the world’s biggest overlooked economic, environmental and social opportunities.
With events at Climate Week New York City and COP31 to follow, WRAP will launch a new global campaign to focus on scaling action to reduce food waste across the world’s food systems and supply chains. WRAP intends to change how we view food waste and focus on the overlooked opportunities and multiple benefits to be gained from farm to fork and across low-, middle- and high-income countries worldwide.
Catherine David, CEO WRAP, explains “Countries that reduce food waste will better achieve not only their environmental targets but can make significant economic gains and deliver social benefits. Food waste generates 8-10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions every year unchecked, and with many businesses struggling to stay afloat, putting the focus on food waste helps to reduce costs and strengthen operational resilience.
“Food prices are projected to spiral this year, meaning the cost-of-living crisis will deepen for many people. Families can make their money go further, if we can help them prevent food waste at home. The opportunities for our economy, our society and the environment by reducing food waste and stabilising our food system are all win-win – and some of the most straightforward to address.”
WRAP aims to reposition food waste as one of the biggest overlooked opportunities for businesses, people and the planet and drive greater action on food waste globally.
For governments, acting on food waste offers opportunities for countries to achive their climate goals while driving business efficiency and growth and saving people money.
For businesses, reducing food waste means stronger margins, improved efficiency and greater resilience by taking control of food waste. For people, opportunities include reducing pressure on household budgets, helping people make more of the food they buy and ensuring surplus food benefits local communities. For the planet, gains include lower emissions and more efficient use of stretched natural resources – exacerbated by geopolitics and climate change.
At LCAW, WRAP is joining forces with a range of international partners across a series of events including the Champions 12.3 network, IKEA, the Global FoodBanking Network, the Global Methane Hub, Gonzalo Muñoz (Ambition Loop), Nestle, Olio, REA, South Africa Food Loss and Waste Initiative, Tesco, Winnow, the World Resources Institute and Zero Waste Foundation.
June will see a programme of activities across London Climate Action Week with particular focus on scaling collective action through WRAP’s global Food Pact Network as well as accelerating progress towards Circular Living. Key dates include:
- Monday 22 June
- Keynote speeches and panels including Catherine David CEO WRAP at the Climate Innovation Forum at Guildhall.
- Tuesday 23 June
- Circular, Sustainable Cities and Towns: Enabling transformation in urban food systems at Sustainable Ventures.
Every year, more than one billion tonnes of food is lost or wasted globally. For the global population, over USD $1 trillion in economic value is lost through wasted food while 780 million people face hunger.