WRAP has called on governments at COP31 to strengthen national food waste reduction plans, include food loss and waste in climate commitments and increase investment in prevention.
The environmental NGO says expanding existing approaches could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve food security and lower costs for businesses and households.
The call comes as the UN climate summit takes place in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9–20 November.
Catherine David, chief executive of WRAP, said: “By acting to prevent food waste, we can put money back into people’s pockets and reduce the pressure on our precious land and natural resources.
“We know what works, and many countries around the world are already acting, but we need to scale this.”
The scale of the issue is set out in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024, co-authored with WRAP. It estimated that households, food service businesses and retailers generated 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste in 2022, including inedible parts.
Food loss and waste across the wider supply chain account for an estimated 8–10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to UNEP.
WRAP is highlighting its Food Pact Network as an example of collaboration between businesses, governments and other organisations. The network connects around 920 organisations through ten national and regional pacts.
According to WRAP’s 2025–26 impact report, activity across the pacts has prevented 220,000 tonnes of food waste and avoided an estimated 680,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
WRAP also reports that more than 2.7 million tonnes of surplus food have been redistributed through charitable and commercial outlets.
Alongside its own recommendations, WRAP is supporting a joint appeal through the Global Action Drive, a group of international NGOs that includes the Global FoodBanking Network and World Resources Institute.
The group is calling on governments to translate existing food loss and waste commitments into policies, implementation plans and measurable reduction targets, supported by monitoring and evaluation.
It also wants food loss and waste reduction included in relevant COP31 negotiated outcomes, with greater funding reaching national and local organisations delivering projects.
WRAP’s programme at the summit includes events examining the relationship between food waste, methane emissions and food security.
An event organised with Defra and the Welsh Government, scheduled for 11 November at the UK Pavilion, focuses on approaches to food waste prevention and methane reduction, drawing on experience from the UK and South Africa.
WRAP is also participating in a discussion hosted by Global Methane Hub, the IKEA Foundation and the Global FoodBanking Network on financing food loss and waste reduction.