A wasted opportunity: open burning of waste causes a climate and health calamity

Climate emissions from open burning of waste are double that of aviation but rarely acknowledged, while health impacts are deadly. To eliminate open burning, governments and investors need an agreed methodology to quantify emissions and address it in NDCs. Global leaders will discuss solutions.

This Official UNFCCC Side Event at COP26 was applied for by the International Solid Waste Association, with the CCAC, GIZ, Engineering X of the Royal Academy of Engineering, WasteAid, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, UN-Habitat. 

Opening:  

Carlos Silva Filho, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 

Video: 

WasteAid - The reality of open burning 

Presentations: 

Dr Ruth Boumphrey, Engineering X* - Introduction open burning and rationale for the burning of waste 

Parth Sharma, Dr. Vijay Sharma, Regional Institute of Health, Medicine & Research -  Health impacts of open burning 

Premakumara Jagadath Dickella Gamaralalage, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) - Case study from Southeast Asia 

Johannes Paul, ISWA/GIZ - Climate impacts of open burning 

Zoë Lenkiewicz, WasteAid - Case study from Africa 

Sandra Mazo-Nix, Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Secretariat - Waste in NDCs and what actions are countries taking to address open burning of waste 

Eri Saikawa, Emory University - Research on open burning of waste 

Prof. Desta Mebratu and Dr. Andriannah Mbandi, UN High Level Climate Champions team & Engineering X - Looking ahead future COPs and call to action 

Closing:  

Prof. Desta Mebratu and Dr. Andriannah Mbandi, UN High Level Climate Champions team & Engineering X - Looking ahead future COPs and call to action  

Q&A: 

Moderator: Carlos Silva Filho, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) 

*Engineering X is an international collaboration founded by the UK Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation