Information Sheet 45: Actions to maximise reduction of methane emissions from waste and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Without significant cost or effort, the upgrading of municipal and waste water treatment facilities and the co-treatment of trade waste to produce biogas can contribute an additional 3.0 PJ of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 515 kt CO₂-e pa by 2050.  If national zero organic waste to landfill policies are enacted and agriculture is required to treat farm wastes to avoid runoff of nutrients into waterways then significantly more greenhouse gas emission reductions can be achieved.  Complete diversion of domestic, commercial and industrial food waste from landfill to newly build anaerobic digestion facilities has a potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by further 789 kt CO₂-e pa by 2050, or 1,296 kt CO₂-e if domestic green waste is included.

Anaerobic digestion has therefore the potential to eliminate 1,811 kt CO₂-e pa by 2050. This all can be achieved using a well-established technology and existing waste materials with many other associated environmental and socio-economic benefits. The biogas can be used to generate electricity, produce heat, used as a vehicle fuel and a feedstock for manufacture of high value bio-based materials, further offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by substituting carbon-intensive fuels and resources.