Global Food Pact Network slashes food waste and emissions – calls for support

The first global report of the Food Pact Network has been published and shows substantial reductions in food waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions. But – warns WRAP – without significant financial support, committed action, and policy backing from national governments, philanthropic organisations, and key businesses we will not be able to achieve the steps needed to slow climate change. 

The network was convened by global environmental action NGO WRAP in 2024. It has united ten 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 organisations, 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 tonnes of CO2e were prevented through food waste reduction actions (equivalent to 240,000 cars taken off the road for a year) and 220,000 tonnes 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 futureproof, and our food system more efficient, reliable and sustainable. We have the potential to really go global now, and that is 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 tonnes 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 eight to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and costs the global economy over USD1 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, said: ‘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.’

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.

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. Fund, champion and partner with your country’s food pact. 

• Food and drink businesses: must commit to action on food waste and become a signatory to your 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.

The United Kingdom generates over 10 million tonnes of food waste annually, with households the largest single source. The original food pact, UK Food and Drink Pact (formerly Courtauld Commitment) has 403 member organisations including 271 large food and drink businesses. Between 2007 and 2021/22, the UK achieved a 22% per capita reduction in food waste. Surplus food redistribution has topped 1.6 billion meals UK wide between 2015 and 2023, with sector wide adoption of the ‘Target – Measure – Act’ approach and millions of people reached each year through Love Food Hate Waste campaign.

The programme runs an international water stewardship project in Spain, South Africa, and the UK and continues to influence national policy development. The Food & Drink Pact is funded by UK government (Defra) and business contributions, with support from charitable foundations and collaborative programmes.