Reducing methane emissions from landfills: the potential of biocover systems

by Heijo Scharff, Lead Author of CCAC TEAP Report: Reducing methane emissions from landfills: the potential of biocover systems - 13 March, 2026

Landfills are one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing sources of methane, responsible for about 11% of all human-made emissions. As waste builds up in landfills and open dumpsites, methane is emitted – even decades after landfill closure - heating the planet and polluting the air we breathe.

This trend can be reversed. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition Technology and Economic Assessment Report on biocovers, Reducing methane emissions from landfills: the potential of biocover systems, highlights how simple, relatively affordable and locally adaptable solutions like methane mitigation oxidation covers (such as biocovers) can effectively mitigate landfill methane emissions while improving air quality and public health. Cutting landfill methane doesn’t always require complex technology but, as the report lays out, to be effective biocover systems must be designed and constructed well, and requires commitment to maintenance and ongoing monitoring.

Suitability

Methane oxidation covers often work best where other systems cannot. Their limited average oxidation rate makes them suited for landfills with low methane generation rates, or for shallow dumpsites where it may not be feasible to install viable gas collection systems. They are therefore a good technology for many developing countries that have shallow, poorly managed and unmanaged dumpsites. Methane oxidation covers are particularly suited where gas recovery systems are difficult to implement, thereby offering a practical and effective solution for methane abatement. The decision and process to build a biocover involves decisions which this report guides through, including costs, assessing the suitability and the potential impact of a biocover on a landfill, in a specific climate, and with materials that are locally available and affordable

In recent years Europe, Canada and the United States of America have developed research and guidelines, which this report draws from. In addition, countries such as South Africa, Australia and Tunisia have invested in biocovers. There are opportunities to build knowledge and capacity, and invest in greater application.

This report guides readers through the full decision process, as well as raises awareness for the benefits of application of biocovers, including their mitigation and air quality potential, providing technical guidance on their design and benefits for better landfill management and waste management systems.

Abatement potential

The methane reduction potential of biocovers is substantial – going as high as nearly 50% for unmanaged landfills over their lifetime. They are also highly cost-effective, typically ranging from US$5 to US$15 per tonne carbon dioxide equivalent. To unlock this potential, however, good design, proper maintenance, and consistent monitoring are essential, and the report addresses how to match the right technology to each landfill context to achieve their mitigation potential.

Design

Unlike landfill gas recovery systems, which require an impermeable cover to maximise efficiency, methane oxidation covers work in the opposite way: the cover needs to breathe. The micro-organisms in the cover need oxygen from the atmosphere. Oxygen can only enter if the cover is sufficiently porous. With careful selection and application as outlined in the report, locally available materials can often be used effectively, keeping costs low and performance high.

Financing options

Carbon markets can potentially generate income for a methane oxidation project, particularly as the Clean Development Mechanism transitions to the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism. This shift provides a window of opportunity for improving the available Clean Development Mechanism methodology, and creates opportunities for international financing options for methane oxidation covers projects. Beyond carbon credits, biocovers can also deliver local economic gains and improved air quality, especially in contexts where older landfills and dumpsites are located in major urban areas. The report points to several countries that have demonstrated increased revenue capture from using biocovers in landfill closure and remediation, through improved environments, resulting in increased land prices and public amenity.

Reaching policymakers seeking solutions to landfills

Around the world, countries are stepping up efforts to close landfills and cut methane emissions. But this requires effective and proven technologies which can work not only in the short term, but several decades after closure. This report is a step forward in raising awareness of the climate, air quality, and health benefits of methane oxidation covers, while offering practical advice on their design, financing, and integration into waste management systems. It provides general guidance for decision makers, policymakers in national and local governments, entrepreneurs, investors, and project managers, empowering them to make more informed decisions when it comes to application of biocovers. Finally, This report helps bridge the gap between ambition and action, showing how smart design, local materials, and innovative financing can turn landfills from sources of pollution into opportunities for cleaner air and climate progress.