Latin America - Reducing methane emissions from organic waste

This project was approved under the CCAC's 2022 call for transformative action in the waste sector.

The waste sector accounts for 18% of global methane emissions. Further, an estimated 61% of sector emissions could be avoided by 2030 with full implementation of current landfill gas capture technology.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has significant methane emissions from the waste sector, and LAC countries are seeking mitigation opportunities to support commitments under their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is in part because Latin America has significant potential for methane mitigation as waste streams in the region have, on average, a significantly higher percentage of organic waste (over 50%) than other parts of the world. This fraction of the waste stream, if not appropriately managed, will decompose, emitting methane gas—a significant contributor to near term climate change.

In Latin America, a growing number of countries and local governments are starting to make progress in promoting the prevention of food waste and food loss and improving organic waste management, shifting from a reliance on landfilling to advancing the implementation of policies and projects that contribute to sustainable waste management.

Project reference [WST-22-002] Latin America - Reducing methane emissions from organic waste

What we're doing

The project aims to set LAC countries on a clear path towards achieving a 30% mitigation in methane emissions from the waste sector by 2030. Achieving major reductions in methane emissions from the waste sector requires the development of multiple initiatives including minimizing food loss and waste, landfill gas destruction projects, as well as organic waste valorization through processes such as composting or anaerobic digestion, among others.

This project will support 3 LAC countries to identify cost efficient implementation measures and fit-for-purpose policy and regulations and advance towards implementation. It will seek to establish a sustained pipeline of projects targeting actions such as soil regeneration, reduced food consumption footprints, economic development for a circular economy, and the creation of new waste sector business models including the diversification of employment opportunities.