Marking International Day, Secretary-General Warns Food Waste Crisis Threatens Climate, Food Security, Urges Systemic Change

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres' message for the International Day of Zero Waste, observed on 30 March:

The world wastes far too much food. Every day, we throw away enough to prepare 1 billion meals - while letting 9 per cent of humanity go hungry. We are putting our climate, ecosystems and health at risk. And threatening our ability to feed ourselves in the future.

That's why this year's International Day of Zero Waste spotlights the mounting food waste crisis - and calls on each of us to take action. Consumers can make a big impact with small changes in their shopping and cooking habits. Retailers can optimize their operations and redistribute surplus food. Cities can scale organic waste separation and strengthen procurement for schools and hospitals. And national Governments can drive systemic change by addressing food waste in their climate action and biodiversity plans and forging public-private partnerships.

Through initiatives like the Food Waste Breakthrough and No Organic Waste, both launched at the thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, we can halve food waste by 2030, cut its methane emissions by up to 7 per cent and build circular, resilient food systems.

Beyond protecting our planet, these efforts will create green jobs; reduce food insecurity and climate impacts; and prevent up to $1 trillion in economic losses each year. We cannot take food for granted. Together, let's build the zero-waste food systems we need to nourish both people and planet.