Methane and other pollutants without C02 play a role in reducing the emissions deficit
Reducing emissions from the global waste sector, including methane, a potent greenhouse gas, could play a role in the fight against climate change, according to a new report released today.
The waste management sector contributes 3.5 percent of the world's man-made greenhouse gases (GHGs), which equates to around the current emissions from international aviation and shipping, according to some estimates.
But the report says the waste sector is in a strong position to move from being a source of emissions to being a protector of major emissions, in part by collecting methane from landfills for fuel and electricity generation.
According to the emissions of the latest reports, presented ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Cancun by UNEP (COP 16) and researchers from 25 modeling centers, the best-case scenario would be to see emissions fall around
49 gigatons (Gt) of C02 equivalent, if the Copenhagen commitments are fully implemented.
Scientists estimate that emissions should be as low as 44 Gt in 10 years and thus maintain a temperature increase during the 21st Century of 2°C.
Accelerated action of C02 emissions will be the key to bridging this 5 Gt gap.
But this could be assisted by increased action on a number of pollutants without C02 ranging from black carbon and nitrogen compounds to methane.
"Every avenue, every opportunity and every option for reducing greenhouse gases must be put into play if the world is to combat dangerous climate change and lay the groundwork for a transition to low carbon emissions, and with efficient resources for a Green Economy are urgently needed in the 21st century," said Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP and assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
"The waste sector is already acting to minimize the impacts of potentially potent greenhouse gases such as methane, but this is done on a country-by-country basis. The time has come to scale up and offer a much more coordinated and global effort, especially with regard to developing economies. This offers multiple benefits ranging from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to generating new green jobs and greater access to energy from waste projects in electricity," he added.
With information for the UNFCCC press
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Authors: Val
