Summary: Food waste is an issue that affects not only the economy but also the environment and the millions of people who go hungry every day. Each year, millions of tons of food are wasted, despite growing food insecurity around the world.This waste is a huge strain on resources like water, land, and energy, which are used to produce, process, and transport food. When food ends up in landfills, it releases harmful methane gas, which is also a major reason for climate change. The UNEP estimates that food waste accounts for about 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste could play a crucial role in combating climate change.The fact that such a significant amount of food is wasted while approximately 783 million people struggle with hunger also highlights the paradox of the issue. Addressing food waste more effectively could reduce global hunger and help with a more efficient redistribution of resources, ultimately benefiting those in need.Despite these impacts, food waste continues to be a problem across the globe, with large portions of it coming from households, retail stores, and food outlets.While the issue is often linked to wealthier nations, it affects countries at all income levels. Here are the top 10 countries where food waste is most prevalent according to the UNEP Food Waste Report 2024