Watch the press con here.
November 15, 2024, Baku Azerbaijan—With the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial meeting happening today, climate activists and zero waste implementers say while it is good, it needs action with higher ambition.
In a press conference, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) reiterated that for the GMP to be successful, climate finance in the waste sector needs to radically shift from waste disposal towards scaling up and replicating already successful community-led zero waste initiatives that can achieve the greatest environmental and social justice benefits. In alignment with the Environmental Justice Principles for fast action on waste and methane to prioritize local economies and a just transition in the waste sector, upstream solutions such as waste prevention, source-separation of organic discards, composting and other methods can reduce solid waste methane emissions by as much as 95% by 2030.
Soledad Mella, President, National Association of Recyclers of Chile (ANARCH) and member of the Secretariat of the Regional Network of Waste Pickers of Latin America RedLacre said that while waste pickers and workers have been at forefront of methane reduction in the waste sector through organics waste management, it is only recently that they are included in discussions that have tremendous impact on their livelihoods and future. She pointed out the need to “participate and be included in decision-making at national and local levels, and for climate finance to be accessible to communities and waste workers.”
A community-led zero waste strategy in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania has successfully implemented a daily collection of 1.74 tonnes of waste from 4.500 households achieving 95% diversion from landfills – achieving a reduction of 16.4 tonnes of methane emissions per year. Ana Rocha, GAIA Global Plastics Director and Executive Director of Nipe Fagio said ““Through a zero waste approach, vulnerable groups– like women, youth, informal waste collectors, and indigenous populations– are included in waste management solutions, creating positive systemic change in the waste sector that will build the foundation for a socially-just and climate resilient city.
Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director of the Sustainable Research for Action and Development (SRADev) in Nigeria warns of polluting waste disposal industries that the Global North continues to inNigeria. “Incineration is simply not the solution to Africa’s waste issues. Just as burning coal: it is a dirty source of energy and yet another form of waste colonialism, a wasteful imported technology. There are now alternative methods of dealing with waste which would avoid the main health hazards of incineration, would produce [or save] more energy and would be far cheaper in real terms, if the health costs were taken into account. Incineration is certainly a no-option for Africa”
President of the Zero Waste Cities Network – Philippines and City of San Fernando, Pampanga Vice Mayor Benedict Jasper Lagman echoes the need to move away from incineration and instead channel resources to existing zero waste solutions that work, further urging other policymakers to invest in the right solutions. “We cannot miss this opportunity for the NDC review. We need to prioritize zero waste in NDC 3.0.” The Vice Mayor is also urging local policy makers to join the movement to build resilient communities and make a lasting impact by signing the Cities Methane Pledge and committing to 70% organic waste recovery in cities, villages, municipalities, and communities.
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Media Contact: Sonia Astudillo, Global Climate Communications Officer, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) I sonia@no-burn.org I +63 917 5969286
About GAIA | GAIA is a network of grassroots groups as well as national and regional alliances representing more than 1000 organizations from 92 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world without incineration. www.no-burn.org
