National Conclave and Release of Report Methane Emissions from Dumpsites in India: Challenges and Opportunities

Methane, a potent short-lived climate pollutant, has more than doubled in atmospheric concentration due to human activities. It has a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide and contributes to ground-level ozone, causing about one million premature deaths annually. In urban India, 160,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated daily, with 50-60% being biodegradable, primarily disposed of in landfills, which are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally. In 2016, landfill waste management emitted approximately 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent from methane, expected to rise to 2.6 billion tonnes by 2050. Recently, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) hosted a two-day conclave to release its report on methane emissions from dumpsites in India, gathering experts to discuss mitigation strategies in the waste sector.