We present a report on the results of the study «Composting in cities as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions». It was prepared by Mykola Shlapak, carbon accounting and climate policies consultant. The research was commissioned by Zero Waste Lviv NGO .
Waste is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, especially in cities where energy sector alone is causing greater volumes of emissions. However, technologies already exist now that can reduce most methane emissions from waste management in a cost-effective manner
The report shows how composting in cities helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The results of the activities of the Lviv city organic waste composting station Lviv Municipal Enterprise «Green City», which was opened in 2020, are presented. This has reduced the amount of waste taken to landfills by thousands of tons per year.
In particular, the study analyzes the possibilities of reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to composting organic waste and presents a graph of the forecast of these reductions until 2039 in Lviv (tons of CO2-eq). Also, the role of cities in climate policy is considered on the example of waste composting and opportunities for cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in waste management and composting development are provided.
This report is prepared within the framework of the Environmental Policy and Advocacy Initiative in Ukraine that has been implemented by the International Renaissance Foundation and enabled by the financial support from Sweden.
Below we present the full text of the report in English (PDF document).
Video recording of the panel discussion «Separate collection and processing of organic waste», where Mykola Shlapak presents this research is available on the Zero Waste Lviv fb page HERE (speech by Mykola Shlapak from 1:09:16).
The panel discussion took place during The Fifth Annual Conference EPAIU «From Practices to Reforms: Waste Management System in the Context of Ukraine’s Recovery, Eurointegration, and Climate Change» co-organized by the NGO «Zero Waste Lviv».
Speakers in this discussion:
- Alberto Confalonieri, Italian Composting Association;
- Yamit Naftaly, Home Biogas;
- Anna Prokaeva, Center for Public and Media Initiatives, Liubotyn;
- Natalia Senyk, Lviv Municipal Enterprise «Green City», Lviv;
- Mykola Shlapak, Consult on carbon accounting and climate policies.
Moderator: Iryna Myronova, NGO «Zero Waste Lviv».
Presentation below.