Food Waste in the Gulf States

According to the UN Environment Program, global food waste is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, just behind China and the US. Food waste today generates 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, directly adding to the issue of climate change.

Apart from leftover food emitting methane, this takes into account the energy used for growing, processing, transporting, and packaging food products for a global market. Consequently, food waste and food systems are among the most important challenges discussed at this year's UN Climate Change Conference, COP28 UAE.

Some 1.3 billion tons of edible food are being thrown away every year, due to inefficient production methods and limited access to technology (food loss) on the one hand, and wasteful consumer habits (food waste) on the other. In the GCC, food amounting to 10 million tons is wasted every year.