Global concern over methane emissions and their impact on climate change is at an all-time high. However, what is unknown to many is that landfill emissions, often overlooked in the emissions discussion, contribute 20% of global methane emissions
In a recent speaking slot at the Waste Management Europe Conference & Exhibition (WME) at Bergamo, Italy, Krish Kataria, Director of Global Industry, GHGSat, and Olivier Tridon, a global environmental leader and president of Narcissus, with decades of experience working at Veolia as Global head of Open Innovation for Business and Suez, brought this issue to the forefront. They showcased the innovative use of high-resolution satellites to detect and quantify methane emissions from landfills worldwide. Their insightful presentation showed the urgent need to address methane emissions as well as the role and effectiveness of satellite technology in landfill methane monitoring.
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The Urgency to Address Methane Emissions
Olivier began the session by emphasizing the urgency of addressing methane emissions that are 84 times more impactful than CO2 over a 20-year period, making it a significant contributor to global warming. He pointed out that the waste sector is the third-largest contributor to these emissions. He emphasized the need for action, stating, “Fighting the methane war might be a simpler way to win the battle against global warming.” Further highlighting landfill operators’ challenges, including outdated monitoring models and changing regulations, stressing the need for effective methane management in landfill operations.
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The Global Response to the Urgency
The global initiatives, such as the Global Methane Pledge at COP26 and directives like the EU Methane Action Plan, underscore the increasing focus on methane emissions. The waste sector is now under scrutiny, with demands for better monitoring and control of methane emissions. This was the first-time landfills got some attention at COP28. As regulatory pressures mount and environmental consciousness grows, the need for accurate methane monitoring has never been more critical.
In the United States, the EPA is shifting its focus to tackle landfill emissions, allocating funding to improve outdated models, and prioritizing real measurements over estimated data. This signals a global trend towards more accurate and transparent methane monitoring practices.
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The Innovative Approach to Real Mitigation
Moving from emission awareness to real mitigation action, Krish Kataria introduced GHGSat and highlighted the importance of satellite technology in addressing methane emissions: “We are the world’s first and only company that measures greenhouse gas emissions at the individual facility level using high-resolution satellites.” GHGSat’s pioneering technology provides a scalable solution to the challenges faced by the waste sector, offering accurate and validated data for better decision-making.
GHGSat’s mission is to work with operators to help them localize emissions sources from landfills—mitigating 13MTCO2e emissions while detecting 84MTCO2e from landfills alone in 2023—staying true to its mission. Krish highlighted the significant room for improvement in the waste sector despite the availability of technologies to address challenges. She pointed out the differences in reporting standards, with reliance on outdated models for greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, leading to inaccurate calculations. Operators attempting to use real measurements face challenges due to the diverse and disparate nature of available technologies, making it difficult to compare results accurately.
This uncertainty around emissions data creates challenges in assessing the effectiveness of mitigation strategies such as gas capture systems or biomethane conversion, hindering the ability to determine ROI. Additionally, the constantly evolving regulatory landscape adds complexity, requiring compliance not just with current regulations but also with future standards.
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Case Study: Waste Management Inc.
To illustrate the practical implications of these challenges and the potential solutions, Krish presented a case study centered around Waste Management Inc., America’s largest waste management operator. It exemplifies how organizations are navigating the complexities of methane monitoring and mitigation. With 250 landfills in their portfolio, Waste Management Inc. has set ambitious sustainability goals, including a 42% reduction in scope one and scope two emissions by 2031. To achieve this goal, they have committed to implementing a methane monitoring strategy by 2025.
What sets Waste Management Inc. apart is their comprehensive approach to evaluating methane measuring technologies. They categorize technologies based on their ability to localize emissions and quantify them. Waste Management Inc. conducted a study across seven sites to determine the most accurate and scalable combination of technologies for their monitoring strategy.
One of the key findings of Waste Management Inc.’s study is the cost-effectiveness and scalability of satellite observations compared to other methods. While drones are known to be an effective tool for localizing emission sources, they are expensive to scale. In contrast, Satellite observations are up to 75% cheaper than drone measurements, making them a viable option for large-scale monitoring. The ability of satellites to capture 12 by 12-kilometer images provides a comprehensive view of landfill emissions, even in windy conditions. This capability is crucial for identifying emission sources and refuting any regulatory fines.
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What Lies Beyond: The Future of Methane Monitoring?
After presenting a comprehensive case study on Waste Management Inc., Krish and Olivier delved into the future of methane monitoring. Krish emphasized the power of satellite data in justifying or refuting regulatory fines, highlighting its effectiveness in ensuring compliance. She then stressed the importance of accurate and validated data, indicating that the study demonstrated the effectiveness of satellite technology in providing such data.
The question, “Where do we go from here?” led to the emphasis on the need to quantify and report on real emissions, moving away from estimations. This highlighted the importance of data at scale and the layering of data from multiple sources to improve existing models or potentially develop new ones.
Krish and Olivier’s presentation was not just a data dump. Instead pointed out the importance of choosing the right partner in methane monitoring – with solid financial backing, ownership transparency, and a commitment to providing accurate and reliable data. Olivier contrasted companies that were heavily VC funded, with quick gain financing schemes, to GHGSat, who prioritized data accuracy and trustworthiness. Olivier concluded by stating that satellite technology plays a crucial role in both localizing and quantifying emissions, furthering the work in methane monitoring and mitigation.
The integration of high-resolution satellite technology into methane monitoring represents a significant step forward in the fight against climate change. By providing accurate, scalable, and trustworthy monitoring solutions, these satellites are helping to mitigate the impact of methane emissions from landfills worldwide. As Krish and Olivier wrapped up their presentation, they left the audience with a call to action: “The time to act is now. We have the technology and the know-how to make a real difference. Let’s not wait for tomorrow; let’s start making a change today.”
Ready to take the first step in your methane emissions reductions journey? Contact us today to explore how our satellite emissions monitoring solutions can transform your landfill operations.
