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43 results
How Waste Clinics Can Advance Waste Management in Indian Cities
RMI and TERI convened waste management officials from Uttar Pradesh, India, for a 'waste clinic' designed to facilitate peer-to-peer exchange and expert guidance. The clinic focused on four priority areas: data collection, source segregation and collection of organic waste, organic waste treatment, and disposal. For each area, the clinic identified systemic challenges—such as resource constraints, lack of standardized data, and inadequate infrastructure—and proposed specific 'treatments' including the adoption of standardized KPI templates, graded user fees, and the use of biomining for dumpsite remediation. The goal is to provide a replicable model to help Indian cities meet national 'Garbage Free Cities' goals and reduce landfill gas emissions.
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Document type: Report
Negative emissions rates should not be allowed for biomethane
The Clean Air Task Force asserts that assigning negative emissions rates to biomethane, such as those used in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, would allow hydrogen producers to meet 45V tax credit thresholds by blending small amounts of biomethane with fossil natural gas instead of investing in carbon capture. The author contends this would reward environmentally harmful practices, create market distortions, and promote 'dirty' hydrogen production through steam methane reforming (SMR) without carbon capture.
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Document type: Statement
A Playbook for Municipal Solid Waste Methane Mitigation
The report identifies four global municipal solid waste (MSW) management archetypes—Build the Basics (BtB), Build the Basics Plus (BtB+), Move up the Hierarchy (MuH), and Close the Circle (CtC)—and proposes specific abatement strategies for each. It emphasizes that diverting organic waste from landfills and dumpsites is the most significant opportunity for methane reduction. The authors recommend a combination of source-separated organics (SSO) programs, improved landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS), and enabling policy frameworks, such as landfill taxes and organic waste bans, to align waste management with the waste hierarchy and limit global warming.
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Document type: Report
Mexico Waste Sector Methane Analysis Factsheet
The document outlines Mexico's waste sector methane emissions, the existing institutional and legal framework for waste management, and the challenges and opportunities for achieving GHG mitigation targets.
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Document type: Fact sheet
How our trash contributes to climate change — and what we can do about it
The waste sector is responsible for approximately 20% of human-driven methane emissions globally, primarily from the anaerobic breakdown of organic waste in landfills and dumps. With global waste generation projected to increase by 73% by 2050, the document argues that reducing methane is critical for slowing global warming and meeting Paris Agreement goals. It proposes a modified waste hierarchy focusing on food waste prevention, organic waste diversion (via composting and anaerobic digestion), and improved landfill design and dump rehabilitation. The brief highlights successful regional policies, such as South Korea's weight-based food waste collection and India's waste segregation rules, while noting that up to 60% of mitigation measures have low or negative costs.
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Document type: Policy brief
Methane reduction potential in the EU Between 2020 and 2030
The report finds that total EU methane emissions were 15.2 Mt in 2019, with livestock agriculture contributing 53%, waste 27%, and energy 13%. While a business-as-usual trend suggests a 13.4% reduction by 2030, the report estimates a maximum theoretical reduction potential of 49% to 68%. Achieving the 30% (Pledge) and 45% (Science) targets requires significant behavioral changes in livestock agriculture, specifically a shift toward healthier diets with lower meat and dairy consumption, alongside technical measures in the energy and waste sectors.
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Document type: Report
On the Road to 100% Renewables
The document outlines the technical framework for analyzing a transition to 100% renewable energy in U.S. Climate Alliance states. It describes the use of the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) and Distributed Generation Market Demand (dGen) models to simulate various policy scenarios, including a '100% RES scenario' and a 'Clean Electricity Standard scenario'. The methodology includes specific retirement schedules for coal plants in Michigan and Minnesota, as well as a collaboration with Greenlink Analytics to model socioeconomic impacts, including public health benefits, macroeconomic shifts in employment and GDP, and changes to household energy burdens.
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Document type: Report
Mobilising investment for NDC implementation in Peru's waste sector
The document examines the challenges and opportunities for private investment in Peru's waste sector to meet NDC goals. It evaluates specific technology options for landfills in Trujillo and San Juan Bautista, develops financial investment cases, and identifies systemic barriers such as high tax delinquency and lack of regulatory capacity. To address these, the paper proposes three priority measures: integrating waste tax collection into public utility bills, creating a national methodology for calculating waste service costs, and expanding the 'Work for Taxes' (OxI) scheme to final waste disposal infrastructure.
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Document type: Research paper
THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS AS A CLIMATE STRATEGY IN THE UNITED STATES
The document examines the production and use of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a climate strategy in the United States, focusing on its potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when derived from organic waste. It identifies that RNG is most effective when produced from waste rather than dedicated land and when it results in net methane emissions reductions. The paper highlights promising feedstocks such as food and yard waste diverted from landfills and livestock manure. While RNG production costs are higher than conventional natural gas, the report notes that economic viability is supported by low-carbon fuel standards and federal incentives. However, it warns that RNG can increase net methane emissions if it comprises 'new methane'—methane that would not have otherwise entered the atmosphere—due to supply chain leakage. The authors call for more data on methane leakage and life-cycle carbon intensities to better integrate RNG into long-term climate plans.
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Document type: Research paper
Biogas: Converting Waste to Energy
The United States produces over 70 million tons of organic waste annually, yet only 2,200 biogas systems are currently operating, representing less than 20 percent of the total potential. Biogas, produced via anaerobic digestion, can be used for heat, electricity, or upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) for pipelines and vehicles. The document highlights that expanding to 13,500 additional systems could create over 335,000 construction jobs and 23,000 permanent jobs while significantly reducing methane emissions. Key feedstocks include food waste, landfill gas, livestock manure, wastewater sludge, and crop residues. Federal support is provided through the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the Farm Bill, and agency programs like AgSTAR and the Landfill Methane Outreach Program.
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Document type: Fact sheet
The Promises and Limits of Biomethane as a Transportation Fuel
The document examines biomethane derived from landfills, wastewater treatment centers, and dairies as a replacement for diesel and natural gas in California's heavy-duty vehicle fleets. While acknowledging its climate benefits over fossil fuels, the authors highlight that California's total biomethane potential from waste would meet only 3% of the state's natural gas demand and 15% of its diesel consumption. The report warns that promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles could inadvertently increase reliance on fossil natural gas due to this supply gap. It concludes that biomethane provides the greatest emissions reductions when used to generate electricity or hydrogen for electric vehicles, but that battery electric vehicles powered by the grid remain the most effective path for meeting climate goals.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Waste Economy: Market Intelligence Report 2017
The report examines the transition of South Africa's waste sector from a landfill-centric model to a sustainable waste economy. It highlights a significant gap between current recycling rates (approximately 10%) and the potential resource value of R17 billion that could be unlocked through full recycling. In the Western Cape, the report identifies key opportunities in recyclables, organics, e-waste, and construction and demolition waste, while noting that municipal financial constraints necessitate public-private partnerships to achieve a 20% waste diversion target by 2019.
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Document type: Report
Pakistan Low Carbon Scenario Analysis: Project Summary Document
The project developed a 2012 base year emissions inventory and projections to 2030 for Pakistan, identifying that emissions are expected to grow significantly without additional intervention. It analyzed mitigation options across agriculture, forestry, energy, industry, transport, and waste, concluding that implementing these measures could reduce emissions by over 100 megatonnes. A sensitivity analysis highlighted that GDP growth is a primary driver of future emissions, with higher growth rates leading to substantially higher GHG levels.
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Document type: Executive summary
Utility-scale renewable energy sector – 2016 Market Intelligence Report
The report examines the South African utility-scale renewable energy market, primarily driven by the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). It details the growth of wind and solar PV, the impact of local content requirements, and the role of the Western Cape as a greentech hub. It also identifies expansion opportunities within the SADC region and other African nations, while noting infrastructure constraints at Eskom.
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Document type: Report
Waste Economy
The South African waste sector is transitioning from a landfill-centric model to one focused on waste diversion, driven by regulatory reforms and limited landfill airspace. While only 10% of waste is currently recycled, significant opportunities exist in the recovery of paper, plastics, glass, e-waste, and construction and demolition waste. In the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town generates 70% of the province's waste, presenting a concentrated market for alternative treatment. Waste-to-energy (WtE) projects face economic and regulatory hurdles, such as low landfill gate fees and electricity prices, but opportunities remain in small-scale biogas and large-scale REIPPPP projects. The report also highlights the role of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) and the availability of green manufacturing incentives in Special Economic Zones like Atlantis.
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Document type: Report
Government Gazette
The 'Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline for Renewable Energy Projects' outlines the regulatory framework and procedural requirements for deploying renewable energy technologies in South Africa. It details the environmental impacts of various technologies—including wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower—and maps these to the specific national legislation and authorisations required under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and other sectoral laws. The guide provides a structured approach to the Basic Assessment (BA) and Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting (S&EIR) processes, including timeframes, stakeholder roles, and mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable development.
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Document type: Guide
Renewable Energy – GreenCape Market Intelligence Report 2015
The report analyzes South Africa's renewable energy landscape, divided into utility-scale, commercial/industrial, and residential segments. It highlights the success of the REIPPPP in procuring over 5,000 MW and reducing tariffs, while noting that the lack of an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) creates investor uncertainty. The Western Cape is positioned as a potential green economy hub, leveraging initiatives like the Atlantis Special Economic Zone and the SARETEC training center.
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Document type: Report
The Waste Economy
The report analyzes the South African waste sector, which is worth approximately R15 billion and employs 29,000 people. It highlights the Western Cape's higher recycling rates (14%) compared to the national average (9.8%) and examines various waste streams, including plastics, paper, glass, metals, e-waste, and construction and demolition waste. The document identifies significant barriers to waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, such as complex municipal procurement processes and regulatory hurdles, while outlining potential for biogas generation from agricultural and organic waste. It also details GreenCape's initiatives, such as the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), to promote a circular economy.
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Document type: Report
2014 Market Intelligent Report: Waste Economy
The South African waste economy, valued at R15.3 billion, is transitioning from 'end of pipe' to 'cradle to cradle' solutions under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act. While the recycling rate stands at 19.6%, the sector faces significant hurdles in municipal procurement, feedstock security, and legal authorisation backlogs. In the Western Cape, municipalities like Cape Town, Drakenstein, and Stellenbosch are pursuing waste-to-energy and organic waste treatment to address critical landfill airspace shortages, with some landfills estimated to have less than 3 years of capacity remaining.
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Document type: Report
Greencape Market Intelligence Report 2014: Waste
The South African waste economy is valued at R15.3 billion, representing approximately 0.51% of GDP. While the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEM:WA) has shifted the sector toward 'cradle-to-cradle' solutions, developers face significant hurdles, including complex municipal procurement processes, long legal authorisation backlogs, and difficulties in securing long-term feedstock agreements. In the Western Cape, limited landfill airspace—with some sites having less than three years of capacity—is driving a need for decentralized waste-to-energy and recycling projects.
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Document type: Report