ISWA’s Road to COP: Opportunities and Successes of Waste & Resource Management for Climate Change Mitigation

The world is facing what the UN calls a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – and sound waste management is at the centre of it. This webinar will spotlight the critical link between waste and resource management and climate change, emphasizing how poor waste management contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation.

Building on the momentum of the ISWA’s impactful events at COP29 in Baku, the webinar will also explore the transformative role of waste and resource management in achieving global climate goals. Speakers will share their organization’s experience from the COP, highlighting successful engagements, key takeaways, and collaborative achievements. They will also outline their organization’s goals and direction leading to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, emphasizing the pivotal role of waste management in achieving climate resilience and sustainability.

With the ongoing update of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, there is a critical opportunity to integrate waste and resource management into national climate strategies. This could include commitments to reduce methane emissions from landfills, promote circular economy practices, enhance recycling and composting rates, and develop waste-to-energy projects. By embedding waste management into NDCs, countries can achieve substantial emission reductions and align with broader climate and sustainable development goals. The webinar will conclude with a 20-minute panel discussion focusing on the intersection of policies, NDCs, and actionable strategies. Through examples of circular economy practices, sustainable energy and resource recovery, and effective waste management strategies, the webinar will aim to inspire commitments for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, demonstrating the sector’s pivotal role in achieving global climate goals and resilience.