According to new research published in «El Guardian,» from January 2019 to June 2023, there have been 1,256 instances of methane super-emissions from landfills worldwide. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 85 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide, posing significant challenges in containing the climate crisis.
The majority of these events occurred in the most populated nations in Asia, with Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh topping the list, followed by Argentina, Uzbekistan, and Spain. In the capital of India, Delhi, 124 major methane leaks from landfills were recorded. The most powerful one, in April 2022, released 434 tons of methane per hour into the atmosphere, equivalent to the pollution caused by 68 million gasoline cars operating at the same time.
Buenos Aires saw 100 of these events, with one in August 2020 emitting 230 tons per hour, similar to what 36 million cars produce. Madrid detected 17 leaks from 2021 and four super-emissions during the first quarter of 2023, with the largest occurring on January 23, releasing 25 tons per hour, comparable to what 3.9 million vehicles generate.
The study is based on satellite image analysis using Kayrros technology, a company that measures the impact of human activity on the environment globally. This exercise utilized a satellite that orbits the planet 14 times a day to provide global information to pinpoint methane leaks within a six-mile radius. It also used higher resolution tracking instruments to identify the waste facilities emitting the gas.
Super-emitters are installations, equipment, and other infrastructure with the capacity to emit high levels of methane. They are generally associated with fossil fuel, agriculture, and waste management sectors. Improperly managed landfills are a significant environmental concern due to the lack of policies and public practices to ensure proper waste management.
Around 20% of human-caused methane emissions are from waste decomposition, while 40% each come from fossil fuel use and agricultural activities. Landfills produce greenhouse gases when organic waste decomposes in the absence of oxygen.
Proper management of the released hydrocarbon can involve covering deposits or diverting organic matter to biodigesters, which produce methane fuel. However, most large waste containers lack these procedures, and burning waste remains a widely used method. While this converts methane into carbon dioxide, a less potent greenhouse gas, it still has significant effects on the environment.
Recent studies warn that emissions from unmanaged landfills could double by 2050 as urban populations grow. Approximately 40% of the world’s waste is stored in landfills with inadequate management plans, casting doubt on the possibility of meeting international environmental agreements aimed at keeping global warming below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
Methane release has accelerated since 2007 and is currently responsible for a third of global warming. Reducing these emissions by 0.3 to 1 petagram by 2050 could reduce global warming between 0.21 and 0.22°C. However, less than 2% of global climate resources are allocated to control these emissions.