ANTALYA, Nov 10 — Ahead of the UN Climate Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, Leading food waste NGOs have released a COP31 package to drive greater action on methane, advance food loss and waste reduction as a climate solution, and spur finance to scale existing solutions.
Governments around the world are expected to sign the declaration ahead of Food & Agriculture Day at the UN Climate Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, that opened yesterday, committing to recognising food loss and waste reduction in national climate and food system frameworks.
This includes Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), methane mitigation strategies and food security policies.
The package also includes proposed language for inclusion in the COP31 negotiation outcomes, aimed at securing greater international recognition of food loss and waste reduction.
The NGOs responsible for this package are part of the Global Action Drive, including the Global FoodBanking Network, World Resources Institute, The Global Methane Hub, WWF, WRAP, the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy, and others.
Together, they have also called on the COP31 Presidency to formally recognise the opportunity of food loss and waste reductions as a cross-cutting climate solution able to improve resilience and address hunger. This aligns with the priority focus on Zero Waste and Food Security at COP31.
The Global Action Drive’s message is clear: Reducing food loss and waste offers one of the most immediate, cost-effective and impactful opportunities to reduce waste, methane, and other greenhouse gas emissions, while strengthening food security, addressing hunger, and supporting resilient communities.
Why does this matter now?
Nearly a third of all food in the world is lost or wasted, making it a major source of atmospheric methane and contributing up to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet reducing it is frequently overlooked as a climate solution.
While the issue has gradually moved up the food systems and methane agendas, the main challenge for COP31 is consolidating political recognition and translating this into measurable national commitments and investment.
