The COP29 Presidency introduced the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration to set sectoral targets to mitigate methane emissions from organic waste. 

About the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration

• This initiative builds on previous climate pledges and aligns with the Global  Methane Pledge (GMP) to achieve significant emission reductions by 2030.
• Launch: Announced at COP29 in partnership with the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
• Signatories: Over 30 countries, including seven of the world’s top 10 methane emitters from organic waste.
  • Combined representation from nations responsible for 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste.
  • India has not signed the COP29 Declaration.
• Goals: Reduce methane emissions by targeting the organic waste sector.
  • Incorporate these targets into future Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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Focus Areas of the Declaration

• NDC Integration: Including organic waste methane targets in national climate plans.
• Regulation: Establishing robust policies to improve waste management practices.
• Data Enhancement: Strengthening data systems for tracking waste generation and methane emissions.
• Finance: Mobilising funding for waste management and methane reduction initiatives.
• Global Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships for sharing knowledge and best practices.

Priority Actions

• Preventing the generation of organic waste.
• Encouraging separate collection of organic waste.
• Enhancing the management of organic waste in landfills and wastewater systems.

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About Methane Emissions

• Methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2) but it warms the planet more. 
  • Over a century, methane has a global warming potential 28-times greater than CO2, and even higher over shorter periods like two decades.
• Its Sources: Scientists are increasingly recognising various sources of methane, most of which fit in two categories: biogenic and thermogenic. 
• Thermogenic: When fossil fuels such as natural gas or oil are extracted from deep within the earth’s crust, thermogenic methane is released. 
• Biogenic: This methane comes from microbial action.
• Methane from Organic Waste:
  • Methane is produced by anaerobic digestion of organic waste. 
  • Anthropogenic activity includes waste and landfills, rice fields, enteric fermentation, oil and gas, and coal.