GAIA@COP29: From harmful to impactful climate finance in the waste sector

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Climate finance for the waste sector is insufficient and the little there is, goes into the wrong pockets, invested in polluting technologies that are only profitable for the few. It needs to increase, shift, and be accessible to existing successful community-led projects that lead to the greatest economic, social, and environmental impacts.

As governments update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), it is critical to integrate the waste sector and prioritize waste methane solutions aligned with environmental justice principles, ensuring a just transition for impacted communities. 

A community-centered climate finance and waste picker integration ensures no one is left behind.  At COP29, we call on  policy makers and policy stakeholders, various financiers, such as MDBs, IFIs, development aid organizations, and philanthropic funders to: 

  • Commit to substantial, transparent, and quality funding for urgent climate action in the Global South under the new NCQG
  • Increase and shift climate finance in the waste sector from harmful to impactful, supporting upstream solutions, with justice and equity at its core 
  • Integrate the waste sector in NDCs 3.0, driving support for waste methane solutions and ensuring a just transition for impacted communities
  • Recognize municipal solid waste management as an essential public service and fund it accordingly, scaling-up and replicating successful community-led zero waste initiatives  
  • Support a just transition in food systems to prevent food loss and waste.

GAIA@COP29 delegation are climate experts and zero waste implementors whose experiences weave an inspiring story of climate action through methane emissions reduction in the waste sector, centered on environmental justice. Get to know us!

Learn from GAIA experts from around the globe how zero waste systems, policies, and practices could cut total methane emissions from the waste sector by 84% while ensuring a just transition for impacted communities. See you at COP29!

JOIN THE CITIES METHANE PLEDGE

Cities around the globe can take action to significantly reduce waste methane emissions and keep global warming within 1.5°C by committing to recover 70% of organic waste by 2030. Zero waste strategies, like source-separation and organic waste recovery can reduce solid waste methane emissions by up to 95%, while promoting green jobs for the community, supporting local farmers, and empowering waste pickers and waste workers, and ensuring a just and sustainable transition for them. We invite city officials to join the movement to build resilient communities and make a lasting impact. Know more about the Cities Methane Pledge.

RESOURCES

Practical roadmaps and guidelines on implementing zero waste strategies:

Relevant external reference documents and processes from close and aligned allies:

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