Submission: Opportunities, actionable solutions, bestpractices, challenges and barriers, relevant to the Mitigation Work Programme 6th Dialogue on“Waste and Circular Economy”
Summary of recommendations and priorities.
CAN recommends that the conversations on solutions at this dialogue reflect the following priorities:
Ambition
Recognizing that waste methane mitigation is one of the most cost-effective and immediate opportunities for climate action, the Global Dialogue must address the existing gap within the UNFCCC framework in recognizing and harnessing the full potential of the waste sector. Rapid mitigation, adaptation, and just transition efforts in the sector can significantly contribute to the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge, the Declaration on Reducing Organic Waste (ROW), and the emerging Global Plastic Treaty. The Mitigation Work Programme must fully integrate waste methane mitigation as a priority action for near-term climate gains.
Sustainable Development and Just Transition
We urge Parties to align all methane mitigation efforts in the waste sector with the waste hierarchy and the principles of sustainable development. This includes safeguarding the livelihoods and rights of waste pickers and waste workers, who are central to waste management systems in many countries. As landfills remain the largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the waste sector, dumpsite closures often lead to waste disposal infrastructure and displacement of informal workers.
Delivering a just transition requires elevating the visibility and voice of
informal and cooperative workers, recognizing their historic and ongoing
contributions, and affirming their inherent dignity and human rights. True climate action in the waste sector must be inclusive, equitable, and rooted in social and environmental justice.
Finance
Access to finance and capacity support mechanisms remains a major barrier to
effective action at the local level. There is an urgent need for clear, direct, and
inclusive financing pathways—particularly for frontline implementers such as local governments, waste picker cooperatives, and community-based organizations. Climate finance must be designed to support operational costs and long-term sustainability, not just capital-intensive infrastructure. Equally important is the need to strengthen sub-national capacity through targeted capacity building and technical support.
Innovation and Scalability
Technological solutions for waste methane mitigation already exist and are both scalable and cost-effective. However, innovation must be accompanied by inclusive design and deployment strategies that ensure accessibility, appropriateness for local contexts, and alignment with community-based approaches. Scaling up zero waste strategies, decentralized systems, and circular economy models presents an opportunity for transformative change that benefits both people and the planet.
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Download file: http://CANI-Mitigation-Work-Programme-Submission-June-2025.pdf