Colombia - Designing a monitoring reporting and verification system for the waste sector

Rationale

The waste sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia, responsible for 7 percent of total national emissions and ranking as the third-largest emitting sector after agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU) and energy. Within this sector, methane accounts for over 90 percent of emissions, primarily from solid waste disposal and domestic wastewater treatment. These emissions pose a significant challenge but also offer considerable opportunities for advancing Colombia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), climate action law (Act 2169 of 2021), and circular economy goals.

The Ministry of Housing, City and Territory (MVCT) oversees the water, sanitation, and solid waste subsectors, which account for the majority of waste-related methane emissions. To address these emissions, Colombia has adopted the Comprehensive Climate Change Management Plan (PIGCCS) for the waste sector, developed the Municipal Solid Waste NAMA, and launched the Zero Waste Program under the 2022–2026 National Development Plan. These strategies aim to reduce methane emissions through improved waste management, expanded recycling, and closure of open dumpsites.

However, implementation of these commitments requires stronger institutional capacity and robust data systems to track emissions, mitigation measures, and sectoral progress. Developing a sectoral Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) System for waste is essential to provide reliable, transparent, and timely information for decision-making, regulatory development, and compliance with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement. The MRV system will also strengthen Colombia’s capacity to prepare Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) and to follow up on mitigation actions in line with the Global Methane Pledge.

Objectives

• Support the MVCT in designing a sectoral MRV system for the waste sector, initially focusing on solid waste disposal and domestic wastewater, to strengthen reporting and compliance with national and international climate commitments.
• Enhance institutional capacity for GHG estimation, data management, and reporting, enabling more accurate assessment of methane mitigation measures and improved integration into BTRs and NDC updates.
• Increase sectoral engagement and articulation with national and subnational stakeholders, ensuring interoperability of information systems and alignment with Colombia’s National Climate Change Information System (SNICC) and the national MRV framework.

Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Identify and define relevant sectoral and national stakeholders and establish institutional arrangements for MRV coordination.
• Strengthen or create information system requirements, including tools for data collection, transmission, and monitoring of GHG mitigation projects.
• Define sectoral indicators to track emissions, mitigation measures, and non-GHG effects, supporting alignment with national climate policies and SDG targets.
• Conduct an assessment of technical and financial capacity needs for robust MRV implementation, including human and technological resource requirements and cost estimates.
• Organize workshops and technical dialogues with MVCT staff and stakeholders to build skills in MRV design, BTR reporting, and methane reduction strategies, alongside a virtual seminar on international experiences with waste-sector MRV systems.
• Develop a roadmap and prepare a project proposal for accessing financial mechanisms to sustain and expand MRV implementation, including future integration of domestic wastewater and housing-related emissions.
• Propose mechanisms for interoperability of the waste-sector MRV with the SNICC and the national MRV system, ensuring quality assurance, quality control, and consistency with Ministry of Environment guidelines.

Project Reference: [CO-23-006t] - Designing a monitoring reporting and verification system for the waste sector