The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) will represent the global packaging community at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be held from 10 to 21 November in Belém, Brazil.
Represented by president Luciana Pellegrino, the organisation will take part in the Action on Food Hub within the Blue Pavilion on 12 November, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the FSSC Foundation. The joint session will explore how packaging innovation, design and circularity can help reduce food loss and waste – a critical issue in achieving global sustainability targets.
According to Pellegrino, WPO’s presence at COP30 underscores its commitment to positioning packaging as a key enabler of sustainable development.
“Raising the voice for packaging at COP30 is a milestone that has been sown in the past two years through intense collaboration,” Pellegrino said. “Together with UNIDO and FSSC Foundation, we are honoured to represent the global packaging community, emphasising the relevance of packaging in reducing food loss and waste. Packaging is not just a product; it is a system that protects resources, preserves food and connects people and markets in more sustainable ways.”
WPO’s contribution will draw on data-driven insights, case studies and policy recommendations demonstrating how responsible packaging can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
During the session, WPO, UNIDO and FSSC will share outcomes from their joint initiatives, including findings from the recently launched Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox report and the Design for Recycling Guidelines. Together, these works highlight how innovation and collaboration across industries are delivering measurable environmental impact.
“The global packaging community has an extraordinary opportunity to influence the future of sustainable consumption,” Pellegrino added. “Our mission at COP30 is to bring concrete evidence that intelligent, circular packaging solutions are fundamental to building resilient food systems and achieving global climate goals.”
With members in more than 63 countries, the WPO promotes knowledge exchange, education and innovation to accelerate the transition toward a circular, climate-positive packaging ecosystem. Participation at COP30 marks another step in the organisation’s strategy to strengthen collaboration among industry, government and academia – ensuring packaging’s vital contribution to the global sustainability agenda.
