Thread by @marielvilella

These are our 5 takeaways from the #IPCC report on #mitigation, looking at what it means for the #waste sector. Spoiler: we need to cut emissions as fast and furious as we can, and reducing #waste, #plastic and being more materials efficient can help lots
no-burn.org/ipcc-takeaways…

As the report points out, the #waste sector remains the largest contributor to urban emissions after the energy sector, even in low-carbon #cities. Urban areas themselves represent the lion’s share of global emissions, and it's increasing: from 60% in 2000 to 67% in 2015.

So, the @IPCC_CH #ClimateReport recognises that cities can significantly reduce emissions, but this requires systemic transformation: #circulareconomy, #inclusion, #equity, innovative technologies can make a huge contribution towards low carbon urban devel'mnt

The 5 takeaways

1. The potential of the #circulareconomy to reduce emissions is huge - that is, eliminating waste by upstream #zerowaste measures. This requires not just one intervention but a systemic rethink of how we use materials, hence the IPCC puts a lot of emphasis on systemic change.

2. Tackling #methane emissions from #waste is the low-hanging fruit in cities. Waste sector is the third largest source of methane, but reducing it is relatively cheap - a 96% reduction can happen by keeping organics out of landfill. no-burn.org/methane-matter…

3. #Wastetoenergy #incineration is a losing strategy, including pyrolysis and gasification which are incompatible with decarbonisation scenarios because they are major emitters. Decarbonisation of the waste sector is imperative so burning waste needs to be phased out.

This means, for example, that investing hundreds of millions of pounds to expand the #Edmontonincinerator in #London and burning even more #waste and #plastic in the next 30 years is just the opposite of what needs to be done to mitigate #climatechange, according to the #IPCC

4. #Plastic is carbon: the #IPCC is very clear in pointing out that the increased production and consumption of #plastics are a climate problem. This is the 1st time that the IPCC has addressed plastic, with a clear call to reduce plastic production: governments should take heed

5. How to achieve all this? Governance, finance, technology and inclusion of #wastepickers. The #IPCC recognises integration of the informal sector is key for “co-benefits' - greater employment, social integration, reduced pollution, poverty reduction

In sum, the #IPCC report reminds us that the waste sector provides an enormous opportunity to cut #climateemissions quickly and cheaply while building resilience, creating good jobs, and promoting thriving local economies
#zerowastecities #zerowaste #climatejustice