Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, Carbon Market, and Sustainable Development Goals
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the process of managing municipal solid waste (MSW), with separate treatment for recyclable materials, is net-negative in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to landfilling. Specifically, there is an additional savings of about 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) per tonne of MSW combusted.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 2019 special report noted that human activities have led to approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels. To limit global warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century, emission reductions through net-negative technologies need to be deployed beyond simply reaching net-zero emissions.
Economists broadly agree that carbon pricing is the most effective policy for reducing GHG emissions. However, apart from Europe and North America, few countries have committed to a carbon tax or emissions trading schemes. Some countries, including the Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, and selected cities in the People’s Republic of China have emissions trading schemes that cover large industrial sectors, while Japan and Singapore have legislated carbon taxes. Countries including Indonesia, People’s Republic of China, Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam are also considering implementing carbon pricing policies.
Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants can potentially benefit from these carbon policies and might also qualify as a source of GHG credits under the Clean Development Mechanism and other carbon offset programs.
WtE technologies, when aligned with the principles of the circular economy, can contribute to a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, and life on land.
Firstgreen Consulting: Supporting the Transition to Cleaner, Renewable Energy
Firstgreen Consulting, a leading firm in the renewable energy consulting space, is poised to play a significant role in this global transition. The firm specializes in solar, wind, and energy storage technologies and offers comprehensive consulting services that cater to all project life cycle needs, from feasibility studies to commissioning and operation.
As a leader in sustainability initiatives, Firstgreen Consulting supports businesses in their transition to cleaner energy alternatives. By conducting extensive research in the field of renewables and energy efficiency, the firm actively contributes to combating climate change. The strategies put forth by Firstgreen Consulting focus on optimizing energy utilization, reducing carbon footprints, and facilitating the achievement of sustainability goals for their clients. In a world seeking solutions to the twin challenges of waste management and clean energy production, Firstgreen’s expertise in renewable energy consulting and WtE technologies is highly valuable.