Back to Search Start Over

Unlocking the significant worldwide potential of better waste and resource management for climate mitigation: with particular focus on the Global South.

Authors :
Wilson, David C
Paul, Johannes
Ramola, Aditi
Filho, Carlos Silva
Source :
Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy; Oct2024, Vol. 42 Issue 10, p860-872, 13p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Numbers do matter; the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s 2010 data that the waste sector is responsible for just 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has led to the misperception that solid waste management (SWM) has little to contribute to climate mitigation. Global efforts to control methane emissions and divert organic waste from landfills had already reduced direct emissions. But end-of-pipe SWM has also been evolving into more circular waste and resource management, with indirect GHG savings from the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) which IPCC accounts for elsewhere in the economy. The evidence compiled here on both direct emissions and indirect savings demonstrates with high confidence that better waste and resource management can make a significant contribution to climate mitigation, and must form a core part of every country's nationally determined contribution. Even the most advanced countries can still achieve much from the 3Rs. In the Global South, the challenge of extending waste collection to all and stopping open dumping and burning (sustainable development goal 11.6.1), essential to improve public health, can be turned into a huge opportunity. Moving early to divert waste from landfill by separation at source and collecting clean organic and dry recycling fractions, will mitigate global GHG emissions, slash ocean plastics and create decent livelihoods. But this can only happen with targeted climate, plastics and extended producer responsibility finance; and help to local communities to help themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0734242X
Volume :
42
Issue :
10
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
180087256
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X241262717