2022.11.16 WED

15:00 - 16:30

Low Carbon Waste Management in Africa Synergies between African Clean Cities Platform and Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050 in the context of the Global Methane Pledge

Organizer

Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan

Co-organizer

Ministry of Environment, Egypt
Climate and Clean Air Coalition
African Clean Cities Platform

Seminar abstract

While supporting countries in Africa for a transition to a circular economy to reduce GHG emissions and other environmental impacts in a longer term, it is important to highlight the urgent need to address these waste management issues African countries are facing, in particular on methane emissions from dumpsites in the nexus of waste and climate change. Methane, which accounts for about half of the net rise in global average temperatures since the pre-industrial era, is a short-lived but powerful climate pollutant. Reduction of methane is one of the most emergent tasks that can be done now to tackle climate change, which led to the Global Methane Pledge with over 100 countries committed to take actions to reduce global methane emissions at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 at COP26.

Minitstry of the Environment, Japan will jointly organize a seminar to discuss "Low Carbon Waste Management in Africa", together with Minister of Environment of the Arab Republic of Egypt which will launch the Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050, the Climate & Clean Air Coalition and the African Clean Cities Platform (ACCP).

[Purpose of the seminar]

• -Share knowledge and experiences on methane emission reductions through improving solid waste management systems in the world
• -Explore potential roles of the Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050 and ACCP in the context of the Global Methane Pledge
• -Promote investment in solid waste management in Africa through a shared understanding of methane reduction potential in the sector

Speakers

【Local Speakers】

• Mr. Satoshi Yoshida（Ministry of the Environment, Japan） Director for International Resource Circulation and Circular Economy
• Mr. Akihiro Nishimura（Ministry of the Environment, Japan） Minister
• Dr. Terek AlAraby（The Waste Management Regulatory Agency Egypt） CEO
• Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif（UN-Habitat） Executive Director
• Ms. Nagwa El Karawy（Ministry of Environment, Egypt） Senior Solid Waste Management Advisor to H.E. Minister of Environment, and Global Waste initiative 50 by 2050 focal point
• Ms. Martina Otto（The Climate and Clean Air Coalition） Head of Secretariat
• Mr. Gareth Phillips（The African Development Bank） Manager of the Climate and Environment Finance Division
• Ms. Nao Takeuchi（UN-Habitat） ACCP Secretariat, Waste Managemen6t Specialist, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat
• Ms. Cecilia Andersson（UN-Habitat） ACCP Secretariat, Lead of Urban Mobility, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat

【Online Speakers】

• Mr. Frank Van Woerden（The World Bank） Lead Environmental Engineer for Sustainable Development Global Practice

Session Summary

It was confirmed methane reduction on waste management in Africa is one of the most important issues. NISHIMURA Akihiro, Ministry of the Environment, Japan, appreciated the timely launch of the Global Waste Initiative 50 by 2050 by Egypt and expressed Japan would work with them through African Clean Cities Platform (ACCP).