- Too few countries are serious about stopping the climate cost of food waste – global NGOs warn we can’t stop climate change if we don’t tackle food waste.
- 10% of emissions linked to food waste but few leaders commit to action.
- Most countries will miss out on opportunity to lower methane emissions, reduce costs for farmers, businesses and households, and alleviate hunger.
Leading food loss and waste NGOs ReFED, The Global FoodBanking Network and WRAP will co-host a half day of action at COP30 tomorrow dedicated to the invisible driver of climate change that produces 10% of all global emissions – the food we waste.
With global food waste responsible for around 10% of all GHG emissions – putting it third behind China and the USA in terms of emissions – the NGOs warn that neglecting the enormous impact of food waste risks undermining efforts to mitigate against the worst impacts of climate change.
The move comes as WRAP reveals that only 30 countries attending COP30* have made commitments to tackle food loss and/or waste in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – up by just six since COP29.
With countries struggling to address climate change, action on food waste offers a quick win – the solutions exist and offer co-benefits for the economy and food insecurity. Tackling food waste mitigates against a sizeable number of emissions quickly – buying extra time to address the rest.
Catherine David, CEO WRAP, “To build a truly sustainable food system we must rethink how we value food, from farm to fork and beyond. Reducing food waste is one of the fastest, most practical ways to cut emissions, ease pressure on supply chains, and make better use of the resources we already have. A circular approach to food is essential to create a more resilient future and reducing food waste contributes directly to achieving SDGs on climate, hunger, and sustainable production. Brazil’s new Inter-sectoral Strategy shows that even major food producing countries can embed food waste reduction across national policy, while other likes Colombia, Chile, and Indonesia are linking these actions to methane reduction, food security, and circular economy goals.”
“Reducing food waste offers so many benefits—for the climate, for economies, and for communities in need—which is why it’s so important for countries to include food waste reduction in their NDCs and climate plans,” said Dana Gunders, President at ReFED. “Lots of food waste solutions already exist and are ready to be implemented. Making that commitment is the first step to taking action.”
“A growing number of countries are including food loss and waste in their NDCs, and highlighting food banking as a solution that can simultaneously reduce methane emissions and alleviate hunger,” said Lisa Moon, President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “Now, we need to build on this progress. We encourage more countries to include food loss and waste reductions in their climate plans – so they can seize the opportunity to feed more people with good food, while reducing waste and protecting resources. At COP30 and beyond, we will continue to work with our partner food banks and many others around the world to create more just, equitable food systems that nourish people and the planet together.”
WRAP’s evaluation shows that 30 countries committed to reducing food loss and/or waste in their NDCs for COP30 (as of 29 October 2025), including 7 which commit to tackling both.
Current NDC commitments put the world on track for 4–5°C of warming – far beyond the Paris goal – with the latest WRI Climate Action report showing that none of their 45 indicators are on track to reach 1.5 degree targets this decade.
To raise awareness of the huge shortfall in countries committing to tackling food loss and waste in their NDCs, WRAP has joined with ReFED and The Global FoodBanking Network to hold a dedicated half day of action at COP30 in the Blue Zone’s ‘Action on Food’ Hub on November 12.
Cutting food loss and waste improves food security, reduces household costs, and supports rural livelihoods, especially in developing countries. The NGOs believe COP30 must be the moment when every country puts food loss and waste reduction at the centre of its climate plan. They aim to convince more countries that this is one of the most practical, affordable, and morally urgent actions we can take on climate.
Featuring leading international voices on food system transformation, the session are:
Session one – 12.30-1.30pm (GMT) for 9:30-10:30am (Belém) – Driving Progress on Food Loss & Waste: Policy Perspectives will explore where progress is happening most on food loss and waste at the international, national and subnational levels by assessing which countries are leading, which are including FLW in their NDCs or national climate plans and related policies and outlining what must happen to accelerate more real-world action. Speakers include:
- Lisa Moon, President and CEO, Global FoodBanking Network
- Gonzalo Muñoz, Food Champion, Ambition Loop
- Marcelo Mena, Global Methane Hub
- Adalberto Maluf, Secretary for the Environment Brazil Ministry of Environment
- Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor and Dean of the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy (AGFEP) at China Agricultural University (CAU)
- Adalberto Maluf, Secretary for the Environment, Brazil Ministry of Environment
- Christy Loper, Environment Programme Director, Robertson
Session two – 1.45pm-2.45pm (GMT) for 10.45am – 11.45am (Belém) – Food Loss & Waste: Solutions in Action will highlight successful solutions with representatives from different sectors. This will be followed by a discussion on keys factors driving progress such as partnerships, funding and political support to focus on where we are seeing progress and real-world solutions on the food loss and waste agenda. Speakers include:
- Catherine David, CEO, WRAP
- Susy Yoshimura, Senior Sustainability and Compliance Director, Carrefour Brasil
- David Rogers, Director of International Development, WRAP
- Federico Bellone, Manager, Regenerative Agriculture, Rockefeller
- Claudia Morena, SESC
Workshop – 3.00pm – 4.00pm (GMT) for 12.00-13.00pm (Belém) – Food Loss & Waste Workshop: Putting Theory into Practice will be a hands-on working session on how to turn strategies and plans around food loss and waste into real-world action that drives measurable progress. Attendees will discuss how to advance food loss and waste reduction efforts in their own countries and learn about the resources available to help.
- Dana Gunders, ReFED
- Minnie Ringland, ReFED
- Janine Coutinho, Ministry of Social Development , SESAN, Brazilian Gov
- Ria Hulsman, Regional Manager for Latin America/Caribbean, Wageningen University
Fonte: WRAP
