The COP29 declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste has been adopted by more than 30 nations, including eight of the top 10 countries in terms of combatting of methane emissions from organic waste.

At the November 19 presidential summit, nations including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates supported the statement.

NDCs, legislation, information, finances, and partnerships are the five main areas that are the emphasis of the statement.

Addressing Methane Emissions from Organic Wastes

Since the preindustrial period, methane has been responsible for one-third of the net warming. When organic wastes like food scraps, yard waste, cardboard, paper, wood, and human waste break down in oxygen-free settings like landfills, dump sites, and wastewater treatment plants, methane is emitted. The waste sector accounts for approximately 20% of human-caused methane emissions.

Yalchin Rafiyev, the Lead Negotiator at COP29 Azerbaijan, stated that “countries commit to setting up sectoral targets on food waste within their future Nationally Determined Contributions.”

“COP28 focused on methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector, and COP29 is focusing on waste,” stated Rick Duke, the United States Deputy Special Envoy for Climate. He went on to say that a commitment to reduce the emissions of methane from the agriculture sector might be made under Brazil’s leadership of COP30.

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Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges

According to Martina Otto, Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Azerbaijan’s COP29 chair aimed to focus on continuity by expanding on previous efforts such as the Global Methane Pledge, which was established at COP26. The COP29 declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste complements these efforts by emphasizing waste sector emissions.

Regarding data, Otto said that while satellite technology can assist in identifying waste emissions, ground truthing is necessary because emissions fluctuate throughout the year.

Although the declaration was welcomed, the European Commission did not support it since all member states needed to be consulted.

“We need data on where does the waste come from and how to tackle it. We need finance in solid waste management. This is critical.” Inger Andersen, the UN Undersecretary-General, stated, “We also need partnerships across the board so we can learn from each other.”

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