Thirty CEOs, government ministers, global institution executives and civil society leaders joined together to launch Champions 12.3, a new effort created to globally inspire ambition and mobilize action to reduce food loss and waste. This leadership group aims to accelerate progress toward meeting Target 12.3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seeks to halve per capita food waste and reduce food losses by 2030.

The Champions include CEOs of major companies, government ministers and executives of research and intergovernmental institutions, foundations, farmer organizations and civil society groups. These leaders will inspire action by:

• Leading by example on how to reduce food loss and waste;
• Motivating others to meet SDG Target 12.3;
• Communicating the importance of food loss and waste reduction;
• Showcasing successful food loss and waste reduction strategies; and
• Advocating for more innovation, greater investment, better information and increased capacity to reduce food loss and waste.

This announcement takes place alongside the launch of The Rockefeller Foundation’s new YieldWise initiative, a 7-year, $130 million commitment to halving food loss and waste globally. The foundation’s president, Dr. Judith Rodin, is also a Champion.

“Reducing food loss and waste is a significant global challenge, and it’s very important that business plays its part,” says Dave Lewis, group chief executive of Tesco PLC, UK, and chair of Champions 12.3. “At Tesco, we’re committed to tackling food waste not only in our own operations, but also through strong and effective partnerships with our suppliers and by helping our customers reduce waste and save money. This is an opportunity for businesses to work together and make a real difference to Target 12.3.”

Champions 12.3 currently includes Paul Bulcke, chief executive officer of Nestlé S.A.; Wiebe Draijer, chairman of the executive board, Rabobank; and Paul Polman, chief executive officer for Unilever, among others.