Azerbaijan: Waste to Zero, the global initiative aimed at waste decarbonisation, has released a white paper emphasizing the potential of the waste sector as a scalable solution for achieving a net zero future. The paper was developed in collaboration with partners such as the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Tadweer Group, and Roland Berger and was unveiled during a panel session at the COP29 event in Azerbaijan.
According to Emirates News Agency, the white paper highlights the significant impact of the waste sector on global emissions, particularly noting that methane emissions from mismanaged organic waste account for 20 percent of global methane levels. The paper suggests that by adopting advanced waste-to-resource technologies, such as waste-to-hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel, the sector can offer cost-effective decarbonisation solutions. As waste generation continues to rise, the document stresses the need for innovative, technology-driven solutions and essential infrastructure upg
rades to mitigate emissions.
With endorsement from over 50 global institutions, the Waste to Zero initiative advocates for data-driven, collaborative approaches to transform waste management and support global climate objectives. The panel featured speakers such as Alya Al Harmoodi, Assistant Under-Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and Environment – Sustainable Communities Sector, and Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group, who shared insights and discussed the initiative’s goals.
Ali Al Dhaheri expressed his pride in collaborating with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Roland Berger to present the white paper at COP29. He highlighted the vital role of waste in decarbonisation and achieving net zero, emphasizing waste’s potential as a transformative asset in climate action. Alya Al Harmoodi reinforced the initiative’s achievements, noting the waste sector’s contribution to global emissions and the urgent need for action. She pointed out that the intertwined challenges
of climate change and waste require a consolidated response, with Waste to Zero offering a platform for stakeholder collaboration and promising to unlock the economic value of circular business models.
The report’s key findings include the waste sector’s crucial role in reducing emissions, addressing the growing waste issue due to rapid urbanisation, and the potential of AI in waste reduction, among others.
