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Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems

Author

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  • Adriana Gómez-Sanabria

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
    Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)

  • Gregor Kiesewetter

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Zbigniew Klimont

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Wolfgang Schoepp

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Helmut Haberl

    (Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)

Abstract

The rapidly rising generation of municipal solid waste jeopardizes the environment and contributes to climate heating. Based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, we here develop a global systematic approach for evaluating the potentials to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from the implementation of circular municipal waste management systems. We contrast two sets of global scenarios until 2050, namely baseline and mitigation scenarios, and show that mitigation strategies in the sustainability-oriented scenario yields earlier, and major, co-benefits compared to scenarios in which inequalities are reduced but that are focused solely on technical solutions. The sustainability-oriented scenario leaves 386 Tg CO2eq/yr of GHG (CH4 and CO2) to be released while air pollutants from open burning can be eliminated, indicating that this source of ambient air pollution can be entirely eradicated before 2050.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Gómez-Sanabria & Gregor Kiesewetter & Zbigniew Klimont & Wolfgang Schoepp & Helmut Haberl, 2022. "Potential for future reductions of global GHG and air pollutants from circular waste management systems," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27624-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27624-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandre Tisserant & Stefan Pauliuk & Stefano Merciai & Jannick Schmidt & Jacob Fry & Richard Wood & Arnold Tukker, 2017. "Solid Waste and the Circular Economy: A Global Analysis of Waste Treatment and Waste Footprints," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 628-640, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jian Tang & Tianzheng Wang & Heng Xia & Canlin Cui, 2024. "An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Application for Optimal Control of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-41, February.
    2. Chen, Xiao & Yu, Ying-jun & Wang, Yi & Feng, Jing-chun & Zhang, Si & Ding, Zhi-bin & Tang, Li & Wu, Xiao-nan & Hu, Jun-lin, 2024. "Mutual disposal of municipal solid waste and flue gas on isolated islands," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    3. Natasya Nabilla Hairon Azhar & Desmond Teck-Chye Ang & Rosazlin Abdullah & Jennifer Ann Harikrishna & Acga Cheng, 2022. "Bio-Based Materials Riding the Wave of Sustainability: Common Misconceptions, Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Kılkış, Şiir & Ulpiani, Giulia & Vetters, Nadja, 2024. "Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    5. Malak Anshassi & Timothy G. Townsend, 2023. "The hidden economic and environmental costs of eliminating kerb-side recycling," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 919-928, August.
    6. Xi Sun & Sophie M. Behr & Merve Kücük, 2024. "Enabling Circular Economy Dynamics in the Plastics and Steel Industries: Perspectives from Multiple Stakeholders," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 2093, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    7. Zhang, Junting & Qin, Quande & Li, Guangming & Tseng, Chao-Heng & Fang, Guohao, 2023. "Assessing the impact of waste separation on system transition and environmental performance through a city-scale life cycle assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    8. Adriana Gómez-Sanabria & Florian Lindl, 2024. "The crucial role of circular waste management systems in cutting waste leakage into aquatic environments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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