Pakistan - Develop a comprehensive strategy for mitigating methane emissions in the organic waste sector

Rationale

Pakistan's waste management is largely comprised of fleet-based systems responsible for solid waste collection from multiple types of sources. These are directly dumped in uncontrolled landfills or after passing through transfer stations. Only small fractions of monetary value are extracted from the waste stream usually by the informal sector at the point source, transfer stations, or at the landfills.

Residual organic waste is almost never taken up for processing or recycling and left at the dump sites to decompose. Other than composting facilities and biogas generation pits, small-scale projects by eGaurd are operational in Mardan and Islamabad which employ Integrated Resource Recovery Centres in designated areas within housing societies that follow proper waste segregation protocols (UNFCCC).

A recent air pollution and climate change mitigation assessment provides historic and future emissions from the waste sector, and a modelling tool that can be applied in this project. 

In addition, Pakistan’s national GHG emission inventory quantifies emissions from across the waste sector. Based on the integrated assessment report developed through the project, the national total methane emissions in 2010 and 2021 are 8,156 kilotons and 10,757 kilotons, respectively.

The project will support Pakistan in developing a comprehensive strategy for mitigating methane emissions in the organic waste sector. A multipronged approach will be used, including extensive stakeholder engagements, comprehensive literature and desk reviews, updated SLCP emission inventory and analyses, financial planning, and sustainability schemes. A feasibility study at a landfill in Lahore will explore potential organic waste treatment options. 

Objectives

This project aims to:
 

• Enable the Government of Pakistan to endorses a national organic waste strategy.
• Increase the Government of Pakistan's knowledge on opportunities and options for organic waste diversion including their positive impacts.

Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Conduct an extensive literature review to take stock of organic waste generation statistics, composition, and management practices. 
• Identify the gaps in policies and international best practices in organic waste management will be benchmarked. 
• Conduct stakeholder consultations in the form of workshops, FGDs, and interviews, which will be used to collect data, identify issues, and seek agreement on solutions. Emission inventory and SLCP assessment will be updated to identify mitigation measures and impacts. 
• Identify costs of implementation and associated benefits to determine the economic viability of the measures.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders in identifying the appropriate site in Lahore for the feasibility study. 
• Conduct a situational analysis to assess knowledge, capacities, and practices for organic waste management in the identified site. 
• Conduct an institutional assessment to identify barriers to effective landfill management. 
• Conduct a technical and financial assessment of infrastructure and investment needs to support organic waste management and circular economy practices at landfills will be carried out and validated through stakeholder consultations. 
• Train key stakeholders and their participation to knowledge exchange platforms will be facilitated to support the adoption of best practices. 

Project Reference: [PK-24-004] Pakistan - Develop a comprehensive strategy for mitigating methane emissions in the organic waste sector