Methane Emissions from Landfills Pose Major Environmental Concern, Says CSE Report
Singh emphasized the importance of accurate methane emission estimates for effective mitigation and management strategies.
New Delhi, India — Methane emissions from dumpsites in India are a significant contributor to climate change and air pollution, according to a live discussion led by Richa Singh, the program manager for solid waste management and circular economy at the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) in India, writes Baboloki Semele.
Singh emphasized the importance of accurate methane emission estimates for effective mitigation and management strategies.
Estimating methane emissions from landfills or dumpsites can be done theoretically or experimentally, Singh explained.
Theoretical models, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Landfill Gas Emissions Model, and the Modified Triangular Method, are commonly used to predict annual methane emissions but often receive criticism for their poor accuracy and insufficient validation.
Singh noted that the estimates of methane emissions from Indian landfills and dumpsites vary widely due to factors such as inconsistent data collection, variable landfill practices, informal waste disposal, methodological differences, changes over time, and regulatory variations.
Landfills are the third-largest emitter of methane globally, following the oil and gas and agriculture sectors.
According to a 2016 World Bank report, based on the volume of waste generated, its composition, and how it is managed, it is estimated that 1.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent greenhouse gas emissions were generated from solid waste treatment and disposal in 2016, or 5 percent of global emissions, and a further 2.6 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent is expected in 2050 should there be no behavioural change.
Dr. Singh called for the scientific construction of landfills equipped with tools to capture methane, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is 28 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
CSE advocates for standardized data collection, investment in modern waste management infrastructure, and the development of region-specific models to combat methane emissions.
Additionally, Dr. Singh highlighted key recommendations from CSE's new report, "Methane Emissions from Dumpsites in India."
These include phasing out the disposal of biodegradable organics in landfills and promoting their decomposition for use as fuel.
The report also suggests the scientific treatment of biodegradable waste using biotechnology methods to produce digestate, a nutrient-rich solid material, and biogas.
The biogas can be further processed to generate electricity.
Another major recommendation is the remediation of legacy-based dumpsites.
Singh stressed that variability in methane estimation models for Indian landfills results from various factors, including waste composition, data availability, climate variability, waste management practices, population density, and regulatory frameworks.
She emphasized that collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and waste management authorities is crucial to improving model accuracy and developing effective methane mitigation strategies.
This discussion occurred 63 days ahead of COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where global leaders will convene to discuss plans to triple renewable energy output, double low-carbon hydrogen production, and transform food and agriculture systems through increased investment in agri-tech, smarter water usage, and food production.