Community of Practice on reduction of methane emissions from organic sources in Latin America and the Caribbean (MetLAC)

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has a global warming potential 86 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. According to the Global Methane Assessment (2021), reducing methane emissions caused by human activities is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the rate of warming at an accelerated rate and contributing substantially to global efforts to meet the below 1.5°C warming target.

In addition, methane is among the most dangerous short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and is responsible for 40 percent of global warming since the Industrial Revolution-18% of man-made methane emissions come from organic waste.

Per capita waste generation will continue to increase worldwide with population growth and rapid urbanization. As the organic fraction of waste - such as food scraps, pruning waste, paper or wood - decomposes in landfills or dumps, it generates large amounts of emissions that affect air quality and contribute significantly to global warming.

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), organic waste represents, on average, 50% of the waste stream in Latin American countries. The lack of specific treatment options and recovery measures generates serious problems at disposal sites, including significant methane emissions, leachates contaminating subsoils and the spread of vector-borne diseases.

In the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, there are local and regional initiatives focused on recycling, anaerobic digestion, composting and other relevant technologies to reduce methane emissions. However, these efforts are often scattered and not linked to national climate and development goals.