This is how cities can reduce emissions with waste-reduction solutions

Nov 7, 2022

Two bulldozers push waste at a dumping ground of Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corp. (SLC) in Incheon, west of Seoul, July 6, 2007. The SLC treats about 4.9 million tonnes waste from Seoul and the metropolitan area around Seoul every year. Starting off in Sydney on Saturday and travelling west around the world, the Live Earth concerts, planned for this weekend, are expected to attract more than a million people to raise awareness of global warming and environmental issues like climate change. REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA) Methane is a major by-product of waste and is responsible for 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Methane is a major by-product of waste and is responsible for 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Image: REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak (SOUTH KOREA)

Stefan Ellerbeck

Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

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Statistic showing global greenhouse gas emissions by gas

Methane is the second biggest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide from fossil fuel and industrial processes. Image: EPA

Chart showing the sources of methane emissions globally in 2021

Waste was the fourth largest source of methane emissions globally in 2021. Image: IEA

Map showing the potential to cut emissions across cities

A new study shows how the world’s cities can use waste-reduction solutions to drastically reduce their emissions. Image: GAIA

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