On the International Day of Zero Waste held on March 30, the United Nations highlighted the dual threats of food waste and food insecurity. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the Food Waste Breakthrough and No Organic Waste initiatives aim to halve food waste by 2030 and reduce methane emissions by up to 7%. Food waste contributes significantly to climate change, accounting for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Guterres also noted that these efforts could reduce food insecurity and save up to one trillion US dollars.
Approximately 1. 3 billion tons of food, or one-third of all food produced for humans, is lost or wasted annually. In 2024, China reported 108 million tons of food waste, while the US wasted 24 million tons.
Egypt ranked among the highest per capita food waste, with 18 million tons total. Moroccan households discarded around 4. 2 million tons of food in 2022.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that escalating conflicts in the Middle East could increase global food insecurity. If the conflict persists and oil prices remain above $100 per barrel, an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger by mid-2026. This would add to the existing 318 million people already experiencing food insecurity. The WFP predicted a similar impact to the one seen at the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, which triggered a cost of living crisis and a record level of food insecurity.
The WFP Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau, warned that without adequate funding, the situation could lead to catastrophe for millions already on the edge. The Middle East and North Africa could see a 14% increase in food insecurity, with 5. 2 million people at risk.
West and Central Africa could see a 21% increase, affecting an additional 10. 4 million people. East and Southern Africa are likely to face the largest consequences, with a 17% increase impacting 17.
7 million people.
The UN called for global and individual accountability on the International Day of Zero Waste. Guterres encouraged consumers to make small changes, as 60% of global food waste occurs at the household level. He recommended retailers optimize operations and redistribute additional food, while cities should scale organic waste separation and coordinate deliveries to schools and hospitals. Governments were urged to make systemic changes by including minimizing food waste in their climate and biodiversity plans.
The UN acknowledged that complete elimination of food waste is unlikely but pointed to the potential of converting waste into renewable energy, which could also create jobs. Organic waste currently makes up 30-60% of waste, depending on the country. The UN climate initiatives push for boosting degrading soils and reducing farmers’reliance on fertilizers, which has been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East.
Source: moroccoworldnews
