Food Pact Network helps cut food waste & emissions but concerns remain

The first global report of the Food Pact Network published on 7 November, shows substantial reductions in food waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions. But without significant financial support, committed action, and policy backing from national governments, philanthropic organisations, and key businesses, it would not be able to achieve the steps needed to slow climate change, environmental action NGO WRAP has warned.

The Food Pact Network was convened by WRAP in 2024. It has united 10 national and regional Food Pacts across nine countries that account for 14% of the global population and around 20% of global food waste. The Food Pacts have the support of 920 organizations, including 550 food businesses, and are in countries that generate 38% of global GDP.
The new report outlines the impacts of each Food Pact based on its in-country successes and as a combined Network. Cumulatively, an estimated 680,000 tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) were prevented through food waste reduction actions (equivalent to 240,000 cars taken off the road for a year) and 220,000 tons of food saved from waste – equivalent weight of 600 fully loaded jumbo jets.

Catherine David, CEO WRAP said, “The Food Pact Network is on a roll and making strong inroads – achieving real reductions in food waste, realising cost savings for businesses and citizens, and benefitting the environment. The model works – wherever you put it – and by operating across the supply chain is helping to make businesses better and more future proof, and our food system more efficient, reliable and sustainable. We have the potential to really go global now, and that’s my message to governments, businesses and funders. Join us as we go further, faster and free ourselves from the cost and injustice of food waste.”

Food waste is a global crisis affecting society, the environment, and economies. Every year, more than one billion tons of food is lost or wasted – the equivalent of 90 truckloads every minute; double the amount that could feed the 783 million people who go hungry globally. Food waste produces 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and costs the global economy over US$ 1 trillion every year. Food waste is embedded in how we grow, sell, and consume food and driven by economic incentives that favour excessive production, regulations that hinder redistribution, infrastructure that neglects sustainability, and cultural norms equating abundance with prosperity.

David Rogers, director of International Development, WRAP “Tackling Food Waste is the gateway to many benefits, including reducing emissions, improving land use, and tackling hunger. Countries with Food Pacts are making significant progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 – to halve global food waste by 2030. We know the model works, as these numbers prove, and we need to dramatically scale up activity. This requires increased business participation, funding and technical expertise from WRAP and our partners around the world.”

Food waste concerns

In its 2024 Food Waste Index, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) highlighted the scalability of the Food Pact model, stating that coordinated action of this kind delivers faster, deeper impact.

The new report was unveiled by WRAP CEO Catherine David at the Bridging the Gaps – Advancing Coherent Policies for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation for Agriculture and Food Systems in Brazil.

Crucially, the Food Pact Network report sets out direct action for funders and philanthropists, national governments, and food businesses:

Funders and philanthropy must invest in the Food Pact Network to accelerate proven solutions to deepen impact in countries with Food Pacts and support the expansion of new Pacts where the most impact can be made, to improve food security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Governments must lead through policy and investment to make food loss and waste a national priority. Integrate food loss and waste reduction into climate plans and review policy barriers to food waste reduction, such as redistribution and waste prevention.
Food and drink businesses must commit to action on food waste and become a signatory to the Food Pact. Set business targets on food waste reduction, track and measure data and act on insights to prevent food loss and waste in your supply chains and customers’ homes, improve efficiency in your supply chain, and save your business money.

Around 20% of food in the Netherlands is wasted each year, contributing about 5% of the country’s national greenhouse gas emissions. Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling launched in 2018 is led by the Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands Nutrition Center, ministry of agriculture, fisheries, food security and nature, province of North- Brabant and Municipality Meijerijstad. It has 190 stakeholders. The pact has contributed towards country-wide progress on reducing food waste with food waste reduced by 17% nationwide (2015-2023), retail sector food waste down by 33% (2018-2024) and 103,500 tons of surplus food redistributed to food banks countrywide (2020-2023).

Sanne Stroosnijder, partnership manager, Dutch Food Pact ‘Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling,’ said, “Tackling food waste demands action and impact across the full supply chain. The Dutch Food Pact shows that public public-private partnership with a shared agenda can truly accelerate systemic change. Within the Food Pact Network, we share and care — standing on each other’s shoulders to build on what works and move forward faster together.”