Approximately 20% of methane emissions come from the waste industry, Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and the President of COP29, Report informs.
Speaking at the event "Reducing Methane Gas from Organic Waste for Climate Action," held within the framework of COP29, the minister emphasized that methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and the waste industry is the fastest-growing source of methane emissions: “The problem arises when organic waste decomposes in landfills, open ponds, and sewage waters. According to the UNEP's Global Methane Assessment, to align with scenarios limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the world must reduce methane emissions from the waste industry by 30-35% by 2030 and approximately 55% by 2050. These reductions are necessary not only for the climate but also for delivering significant social and economic benefits.”
COP29 President also highlighted the unique opportunity presented by the waste industry for transformative change. "Today, we are adopting the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste. This declaration aims to promote increasing targets and encourage more governments to join the Global Methane Pledge," he stated.