Food decomposing./ PHOTO ; Pexel
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and its partners have unveiled a new global initiative aimed at cutting food waste by half by 2030 and reducing up to seven per cent of methane emissions, marking a significant push to tackle climate change.
Announced on November 14, 2025, at COP30 in Belém, the Food Waste Breakthrough serves as a 2030 Climate Solution under the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and brings together governments, cities, and civil society to confront one of the most critical and overlooked drivers of both hunger and global warming.
COP30 Climate High-Level Champion Dan Ioschpe warned that the climate implications of food waste will worsen without urgent intervention.
“If left unchecked, food waste could double its methane impact by 2050, threatening our climate and food security. But the solution is in our hands. By uniting governments, cities, businesses, and communities globally to halve food waste by 2030 and keep food out of landfills, we can cut methane, unlocking bold climate action and propelling humanity toward a future where food shortage and waste are history,” he stated.
According to UNEP, more than one billion tonnes of food are wasted around the world each year.
This waste contributes an estimated 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for as much as 14 per cent of methane emissions.
Methane is a particularly potent climate pollutant, warming the atmosphere 84 times more effectively than carbon dioxide over 20 years.
In addition to driving climate impacts, food waste also results in a staggering US$1 trillion in financial losses annually.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said the level of global food wastage remains unacceptable and represents a major opportunity for action.
“The world wastes an unforgivable amount of food each year, in every country, rich and poor. Reducing this food waste is key to addressing hunger and cutting methane emissions from landfills – decisive action to lower global temperatures, save money, and tackle food insecurity at the same time,” said Andersen.
“The Food Waste Breakthrough is exactly the kind of big-hitting initiative we need to keep climate change in check and save nutritious food for those who need it.”
The Food Waste Breakthrough is organised around three core pillars: Capacity Building & Advocacy, Data & Policy, and Finance & Implementation.
Backed by funding from the Global Environment Facility, UNEP will roll out a US$3 million, four-year global project designed to support the initiative’s targets.
The project will focus on adapting and expanding proven food waste prevention strategies at both national and local levels in developing countries, while fostering broader international cooperation.
UNEP is also collaborating with financial institutions and philanthropic organisations to establish a US$5 million challenge fund.
This initiative will support 20–25 community-level innovations led by cities or youth groups across regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, emphasised that behavioural change and prevention strategies offer significant benefits.
“Addressing food waste through prevention and behavioral change holds promise not only for cost-effective climate action, but also towards supporting sustainable consumption,” he said.
“We look forward to partnering with countries and cities to scale up such investments as part of our commitment to bring about transformational change through integrated solutions.”
The initiative has secured broad global participation. Country Champions include Brazil, Japan, and the United Kingdom, while participating cities and sub-national leaders include Amman, Bangkok, California, Curitiba, Dar es Salaam, Florianópolis, Hanam City, Kisumu, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro.
Private-sector contributors include Carrefour, Citibank, Google, Hilton, Rabobank, and Winnow.
About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment.
It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) includes several multilateral funds working together to address the planet’s most pressing challenges in an integrated way.
Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals.
Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $26 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $153 billion for country-driven priority projects.
