Methane Mitigation Technical Brief Series: Solid Waste Sector

Methane is a gaseous compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, formed by both geological and biological processes. It is about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) at warming the planet during a 20-year period (25 times more potent during a 100-year period) and has contributed to roughly 30 percent of global warming since the pre-industrial era. The signatories of the Global Methane Pledge, launched in 2021 at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, committed to reducing methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030.

Methane mitigation is critical for advancing the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) 2022–2030 Climate Strategy, including its greenhouse gas mitigation target to reduce, avoid, or sequester 6 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. USAID’s Climate Strategy explicitly underscores methane reduction under Strategic Objective I (Targeted Direct Action) and Intermediate Result 1.1 (Catalyze Urgent Mitigation). The Agency’s approach to methane reduction is multi-sectoral, encompassing energy (oil and gas, and coal mine methane), agriculture (rice and livestock), solid waste, and wastewater.

This technical brief focuses on methane mitigation in the solid waste sector. It details potential abatement measures in the sector and presents a pathway for Missions to integrate those measures into USAID solid waste management programming. The brief also highlights the co-benefits of mitigation.

For additional information, download the Supplemental Material for this technical brief.