COP30 Breakthrough: Packaging Recognised as a Climate-Relevant System

With COP30, the packaging industry has taken on a visible role in the international climate dialogue for the first time. One of the key voices was Luciana Pellegrino, President of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). She led the packaging session at the UN Climate Conference’s Action on Food Hub, positioning packaging as a key lever in reducing food loss and waste.

In cooperation with UNIDO and the FSSC Foundation, the WPO also contributed to the joint final declaration. For the organisation, which represents members in 66 countries, this marked a milestone – and a clear signal that packaging is increasingly recognised as a system-relevant component of sustainable food and trade systems.

In the interview, Luciana Pellegrino explains the key messages from COP30 and outlines the expectations that policymakers and international organisations now place on the packaging industry.

 

Ms. Pellegrino, COP30 put packaging in the focus of climate negotiations — what enabled this breakthrough?

Over the last two years, the World Packaging Organisation, together with UNIDO, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and the FSSC Foundation, have worked to bring science-based discussions to COP, positioning packaging within the context of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Food loss and waste, alone, accounts for around 8 % of global greenhouse gas emissions according to FAO. If Food Loss and Waste (FLW) were a country, it would be the third largest emitter in the world, after China and the United States. 

This reframes packaging as a strategic climate solution — directly linked to emissions reduction, food security, resource efficiency, and climate resilience. That shift in perspective is what enables packaging to move into the centre of the climate strategies, and to advocate for funds and to drive sustainable food chains across the globe.

 

How did you bring the Packaging Forum 2025 insights — especially the shift from “packaging as waste” to “packaging as a climate tool” — into the UN discussions?

The FACHPACK, WPO, dvi, UNIDO and FSSC Forum and Round table during FACHPACK 2025 were very insightful and enriching events, which connected us with packaging companies, allowing to explore together how the industry is driving sustainable packaging and sustainable food systems. 

A lot is being discussed in terms of packaging sustainability, which encompasses circularity among other aspects, and there are clear targets to be pursued on recycle ready packaging, use of recycled material, etc. However, even though packaging R&D does encompass the food preservation and protection as a fundamental pilar, there are not clear targets or even harmonized holistic drivers in place. 

This is where WPO and partners came in! We were able to explore the understandings from FACHPACK Forum 2025 at COP30, elevating the perspective of packaging’s positive impact and proposing such drivers. 

 

From your perspective, where can packaging make the biggest and fastest contribution to reducing FLW globally?

COP30 placed Food Loss and Waste high on the global agenda. From the WPO’s perspective, packaging can deliver some of the fastest and most effective contributions to FLW reduction by being designed as an integrated part of the food system rather than as a standalone product.

The paper Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox (WPO/UNIDO/WUR) introduces a practical tool to guide companies in this effort: the Save Food Packaging Design Principles. These five principles focus on preventing FLW through packaging design by

1.  containing and protecting the product,
2. preserving and extending shelf life,
3. providing consumer convenience,
4. clearly communicating with consumers, and
5. balancing food waste and packaging waste.

With the scientific recognition of the impacts on climate from FLW, WPO’s UNIDO FSSCE and WUR collaborative session at the Action on Food Hub in the Blue Pavillion at COP30 addressed this message, focusing on raising awareness, funding and projects on how packaging supports to drive sustainable food systems aiming social, economic and environmental positive impact. 

As a strategic outcome, FSSC Foundation announced it will include the 5 design principles as a reference within its food safety packaging guidelines. 

In conclusion, COP30 offered a vibrant and stimulating environment, making clear that the privet sector and organizations must be protagonist on driving climate action. 

It was an outstanding opportunity to raise the voice for packaging and to keep on pushing efforts to engage our industry to be part of the solution in a collaborative way. 

 

Thank you for the interview Ms. Pellegrino.

 

Author: Alexander Stark, Editor FACHPACK360°