Governments Failing to Tackle Methane from Waste Despite Global Pledges

By Samuel Asamoah | Accra

A new analysis by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) has revealed that most governments are neglecting simple, effective measures to curb methane emissions from waste, despite their commitments under major international pledges.

The report, which examined 14 recently submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UN climate body, shows that while all the countries studied have signed the Global Methane Pledge and the Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste, most are falling short in implementing concrete zero waste strategies.

According to GAIA, methane from the waste sector represents around 20% of human-caused emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas. Effective waste management practices such as composting, source separation, and bio-stabilization could cut these emissions by as much as 95%, while also creating decent jobs and supporting local economies.

However, GAIA’s assessment found that ten out of the fourteen NDCs were either weak or counterproductive. None of the countries fully realized the emissions reduction potential and social benefits that a comprehensive zero waste approach could deliver.

Brazil stood out among the group for demonstrating substantial progress, incorporating robust policy measures and a clearer framework for managing organic waste. Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, and Nigeria also earned recognition for emphasizing a just transition — including job retraining, skills development, and efforts to address the vulnerabilities of informal waste workers.

Yet, the report raised concern that many governments continue to overlook the role of waste pickers, who are pivotal in recycling and recovery efforts across the Global South.

Even more worrying, countries such as Nepal, Uruguay, Colombia, Morocco, and Bangladesh are planning to expand waste-to-energy (incineration) infrastructure — a move GAIA warns could worsen emissions, undermine recycling, and eliminate livelihoods.

“It is good to see increased attention on waste sector mitigation potential in national climate plans,” said Doun Moon, Policy and Research Officer at GAIA. “However, too many plans focus on waste disposal rather than prevention or material recovery, often favoring private profits over people. Our research shows that community-led zero waste initiatives are among the fastest and cheapest ways to cut methane emissions.”

The report also highlights that 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the material economy — the production, consumption, and disposal of goods. Adopting the reduce, reuse, recycle hierarchy, GAIA argues, would therefore have deep emissions benefits across the entire value chain.

The 14 countries analyzed include Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe — mostly from the Global South. GAIA emphasized that with adequate financial and technical support, these countries could bypass harmful technologies like incineration and directly implement sustainable zero waste systems.

“We urge governments to embrace zero waste as a climate solution, with waste pickers and communities at its heart,” said Mariel Vilela, Director of GAIA’s Global Climate Program. “The upcoming COP30 climate conference is a moment to share success stories and get money flowing to the people making things happen on the ground.”

GAIA has also released detailed policy recommendations for countries such as Chile, Indonesia, and South Africa to accelerate the adoption of zero waste initiatives.

The organization hopes the findings will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers ahead of COP30, stressing that meaningful methane reduction will only be possible when governments shift from waste disposal to waste prevention and recovery — putting people and the planet before profit.