M-6 - Waste
The waste sector, while a smaller contributor at 3% of of global CO₂-eq emissions, still plays a significant role in climate change, particularly through methane (CH₄) emissions. This sector encompasses the collection, treatment, and disposal of solid waste and wastewater, including activities such as landfilling, composting, incineration, and recycling. It addresses emissions from both the decomposition of organic waste and the energy used in waste processing and management.
As urban populations grow and consumption patterns change, particularly in developing regions, the challenge of mitigating emissions in the waste sector becomes increasingly important. Effective mitigation strategies within this sector include reducing waste generation, enhancing recycling and resource recovery, improving waste treatment technologies, and capturing and utilising methane emissions from landfills and wastewater treatment plants.
Technological advancements, coupled with policy support and public engagement, are crucial for reducing emissions in the waste sector. Strategies such as improving waste separation, increasing the efficiency of recycling processes, and implementing advanced waste-to-energy technologies can significantly lower emissions. Additionally, capturing methane from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities for energy use represents a key opportunity for mitigation. However, the successful implementation of these strategies requires consideration of regional waste management practices, economic feasibility, and the development of infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to achieve meaningful, long-term reductions in waste sector emissions.
Mitigation Potential¶
TBD.
Mitigation Options¶
TBD.
Emissions¶
We estimate that the waste sector was accountable for 3.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 (1,651 MtCO₂-eq, see GHG Emissions).
See E-4 - Waste for a summary of IPCC guidelines for emission reporting.
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IPCC AR6 WG3. 2022. Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Edited by Priyadarshi R. Shukla, Jim Skea, Raphael Slade, Alaa Al Khourdajie, Renée van Diemen, David McCollum, Minal Pathak, et al. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009157926. ↩