COP29 Declaration on organic waste is a pivotal moment for the biogas industry  

COP29 represents a defining moment for the biogas industry, with the treatment of food and organic waste for the first time being at the heart of a formal COP declaration.   

The COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste will require that national climate policies set concrete targets to reduce methane from waste and food systems, aligning with the 1.5°C goal. Signatories commit to launching concrete policies and roadmaps to meet these sectoral methane targets ahead of COP30 in Brazil.  

30 countries representing 47% of global methane emissions from organic waste have signed the declaration, which should prove a gamechanger for sector growth and development.  

The declaration, developed with the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), builds on the work of previous COPs by supporting the implementation of the 2021 Global Methane Pledge (GMP), launched at COP26.  

The GMP sets a global target of reducing methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. Organic waste is the third largest source of anthropogenic (human caused) methane emissions, behind agriculture and fossil fuels, meaning that action on this sector is crucial to meet the goals of the GMP.  

Biogas framework will accelerate GMP delivery 

Invited to attend and speak at the launch of the declaration at the High Level Event on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste at COP29 in Baku, Charlotte Morton OBE, Chief Executive of the World Biogas Association said, “This represents a pivotal moment for our industry globally. We humans generate over 105bn tonnes of these wastes every year – our own sewage, food waste, food and drink processing wastes, animal manures and slurries, other agricultural wastes.” 

“The vast majority is not treated today. This means that they are polluting our rivers and oceans, causing air pollution, and in the context of today’s declaration, emitting methane. Simply collecting and recycling these organic wastes would deliver half of the global methane pledge. 

“To deliver this potential, an enabling environment is essential. To deliver this potential by 2030 – in the next 5 years – that enabling environment needs to be in place as soon as possible. With the support of the Global Methane Hub, Total Energies and GHD, we have developed a model biogas regulatory framework and international biogas certification scheme which countries and states can adapt to their local circumstances.” 

Action on methane is recognised as the fastest, most cost-effective way to slow global temperature rise and allow time for further decarbonisation efforts to take effect.  

See also WBA’s #MakingBiogasHappen programme hailed as a climate solution at COP29