The waste sector contributes significantly to GHG emissions. With an LCA approach all steps of waste treatment can be evaluated and GHG emissions of different treatment options like recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion as well as thermal treatment, use of refuse derived fuel (RDF) and final disposal can be calculated. Thus best options for mitigating GHG emissions from the waste sector are identified.

In most countries waste quantities are still rising which means that all follow-up impacts on the environment are also on the rise. The focus of this conference lies on waste management activities and resulting greenhouse gas emissions and the mitigation potential. Nevertheless, GHG mitigation can also be seen as a co-benefit to the improvement of livelihoods, avoidance of soil and water pollution and saving ground by diverting waste from landfills. Newest research results on the GHG mitigation potential of better waste management in OECD-countries, India and Egypt will be presented and discussed. In a final panel discussion, representatives of German Federal Ministries (BMUB, BMWi, BMZ) and institutions and organizations, promoting international cooperation in the waste management sector (GIZ, KfW, Retech), will be asked for their opinions and statements how Germany can further contribute to better waste management on an international level.

The conference is organized by the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit, BMUB).

IFAT 2014