Unlocking the Climate Crisis: How Food Waste Fuels Global Warming and What You Can Do About It

Sophie Trueman, the Managing Director of UK & Ireland at Too Good To Go, emphasizes the urgent need to address food waste in the climate change conversation. Surprisingly, food waste contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Global Environmental Action non-governmental organization WRAP. If food waste were its own nation, it would rank third in emissions, trailing only China and the USA.

This issue spans the entire food supply chain—from farms to dinner plates. At each stage, emissions rise, and waste piles up.

Where Is Food Waste Happening?

Food waste often begins at the production level. Factors like inefficient harvesting and handling can lead to significant losses. The resources used—water, energy—are wasted along with the food. In manufacturing, demand fluctuations and overstocking also contribute to waste. Approximately 1.4 million tonnes of food is wasted every year during this stage.

To combat this, Too Good To Go introduced a solution called Parcels. Brands ship surplus products to a Midlands packing facility, where they are then delivered to consumers through the Too Good To Go app, making it easy and convenient.

Retailers also face challenges. Issues like improper date labeling and the rejection of ‘imperfect’ food lead to excessive waste. Surprisingly, households account for 60% of the 10.7 million tonnes of food wasted in the UK annually.

But consumers can make a difference in simple ways. Using the Look, Smell, Taste method, people can trust their senses when dealing with food labeled ‘best before.’ Getting creative with leftovers or properly storing food also helps minimize waste.

The Role of Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go shows how small actions can lead to big changes. In the UK, the community has saved 55 million Surprise Bags of food, preventing around 121.5 million kilograms of CO2 emissions. Awareness is key; 68% of food decision-makers in the UK report increased focus on addressing food waste over the past five years, according to our Food Waste Gap Report.

Understanding that food waste is a serious issue has become a priority for both consumers and businesses, especially in the grocery sector. Consumer awareness significantly influences why the industry is acting more urgently to tackle food waste.

Shared Responsibility

However, reducing food waste isn’t just up to individuals and businesses. Governments must promote awareness and support sustainable practices. Globally, 2.5 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year—40% of all food produced.

Reducing food waste is crucial for tackling climate change. According to Project Drawdown, it’s the most effective action we can take. If we work together—businesses, consumers, and policymakers—we can make a real difference in reducing food waste.

Let’s embrace sustainable habits across the food chain. Not only can we cut down on waste, but we can also enhance community well-being, making our actions meaningful and impactful.

Check out this related article: How Trump’s Budget Cuts Could Impact the Environment: What You Need to Know