Reflections: #COP28 Methane Mitigation & Environmental Justice Side Event
GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives)
A global network advancing grassroots, zero waste solutions to pollution and environmental injustice.
GAIA recently had the privilege of co-hosting a pivotal side event at COP 28, "Methane Mitigation and Environmental Justice as a Key to Progress Zero Waste Plans," held at the Chile Pavilion. The discussions held there reverberated with hope and commitment towards actionable #climateaction plans for achieving #zerowaste, not just in Latin America but on a global scale.
Environmental Justice in Methane Reduction Plans
One of the highlights was the presentation by Marcelo Mena of the Global Methane Hub , introducing GAIA's Environmental Justice Principles for Fast Action on Waste and Methane (read in EN & ES). This framework provides a crucial roadmap for addressing methane emissions from the waste sector while upholding environmental justice.?
#JustTransition: Waste pickers at COP28
A truly empowering moment was witnessing representatives from Latin America's waste picker community, Soledad Mella (REDLacre) and Aline Sousa (MNCR), seizing the opportunity to speak in front of high-level audience from the Brazil Ministry of Environment. Their focus on environmental justice and waste pickers' expertise underscored the significance of including diverse and frontline voices in shaping policies.
Climate Finance for Environmental Justice
At the event, Claire Henly , Senior Adviser of the US Special Envoy on Climate Change acknowledged the essential integration of environmental justice into climate finance. Their commitment to tackling methane emissions and investing in waste sector initiatives is a step towards the right direction of realizing tangible change.
Claire's speech also highlighted encouraging advancements, such as the collaboration within the Lowering Organic Waste Methane Partnership and increased commitments from prominent financial institutions like 世界银行 and the Inter-American Development Bank . We are hopeful of a growing focus on methane reduction in the waste sector.
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Zero Waste to Zero Emissions: GAIA at COP
However, this is just the beginning. Our work toward achieving #zerowaste as a climate solution deeply rooted in environmental justice is ongoing.
Our gratitude to our fellow speakers and partners at the Chile Pavilion for having this important conversation and to the Global Methane Hub for collaborating with us in advocating for reduced methane emissions from the waste sector.?
A special acknowledgment goes to the dedicated GAIA delegation whose unwavering commitment represents grassroots communities at COP, driving the urgency for sustainable change.
We urge more policymakers and global leaders to recognize the immense potential of #zerowastezeroemissions initiatives. Zero waste is possible!
More information and resources around waste and climate here: https://www.no-burn.org/cop-waste-and-climate/
Global Methane Hub Marcelo Mena; Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Mudan?a do Clima Adalberto Felicio Maluf Filho; RED Lacre Soledad Mella; Movimento Nacional dos Catadores de Materiais Recicláveis - MNCR Aline Sousa; GAIA (Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives) Mariel Vilella; ISWA International Solid Waste Association Carlos Silva; Senior Adviser, US Special Envoy for Climate Change Claire Henly