At COP30 in Brazil, the WPO brings packaging to the core of global food loss & waste discussions

In November 2025, for the first time in its history, the World Packaging Organisation (WPO – www.worldpackaging.org) positioned the global packaging industry at the epicentre of climate negotiations during COP30 UN climate forum. This reinforced the message long echoed in the technical corridors of the industry, but only now earning government and industrial prominence – there is no credible strategy to reduce food loss and waste without placing packaging at the centre of the solution.

Representing members in 66 countries, WPO president Luciana Pellegrino addressed government delegates, NGOs, multilateral agencies, and private sector leaders during a high-level session at the Action on Food Hub, in partnership with UNIDO and the FSSC Foundation. Her core message was clear, objective and urgent, “Packaging is not just a product; it is a critical system that protects resources, preserves food, enables trade, and powers sustainable food systems.”

This milestone participation reflects a multi-year effort to ‘raise the voice of packaging’ at the UN climate forum, an effort that matured into concrete influence at COP30.

Packaging as an essential tool to avoid food loss & waste

Drawing from technical evidence, case studies, and WPO’s global initiatives, such as Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox and the Design for Recycling Guidelines, Luciana Pellegrino emphasized how packaging innovation directly contributes to SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17.

She also advanced the conversation beyond technology, delving into structural issues related to financing, public policy, and socio-economic impact, “Our next step is to expand the conversation into action – securing funding, increasing governmental support, and integrating packaging into public policies that strengthen sustainable food systems. The end goal is simple and transformative, to empower food chains and local communities with more efficient packaging that preserves products, reduces losses, and boosts economic resilience.”

WPO President highlighted that small and mid-scale producers, particularly in emerging economies, are disproportionately affected by food loss due to inadequate storage, transportation, and protection systems. Packaging, when properly designed, can be the difference between losing half of the harvest or bringing it safely to market. Yet these producers rarely receive the technical attention or financing required to adopt better packaging.

According to Pellegrino, it is important to focus on: investment in packaging technology for small producers; capacity building and education for food-chain stakeholders; public policies that incorporate packaging as an enabler of sustainable food systems; and, cross-sector partnerships to scale climate-positive packaging solutions.

This movement has already begun with WPO´s participation at COP30. “These topics crossed the boundaries of the packaging industry and entered the broader agenda of food security and climate change,” celebrates Pellegrino.

For the global packaging community, the COP30 stage was more than a speaking slot; it was a recognition that the sector holds strategic influence in climate solutions. “What matters most is the commitment we are helping to build among governments, companies, and global institutions, to recognize the essential role of packaging in reducing food loss and empowering local food chains,” noted Luciana Pellegrino. She added, “This is the beginning of a stronger movement. When packaging is properly valued and intelligently designed, entire communities benefit.”

The FoodTekPack Conference, Greater Noida 11 & 12 December 2025

The two-day FoodTekPack Conference, alongside the Intrapac exhibition in Greater Noida, organized by IndiFoodBev and Packaging South Asia, is based on the understanding that food loss and food waste contribute 10% to climate change. And as Pellegrino explained at Belem, capacity–building and education for food-chain stakeholders, including producers and brand owners, and public policies that incorporate climate-positive packaging solutions as an enabler of sustainable food systems are critical to emerging economies.

About WPO

The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) is a non-profit, non-governmental, international federation of packaging institutes, associations, federations and other interested parties, including corporations and trade associations. Its mission is, “Better quality of life through better packaging for more people.” WPO joins 84 members, representing 66 countries that include Full Members, Honorary Members, Affiliate Members and a Regional Federation.