Global Methane Emissions from Waste Facilities
Two Indian waste facilities have been identified among the top 25 global emitters of methane, according to a recent report by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Methane is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for 30% of the warming observed since preindustrial times, second only to carbon dioxide.
Key Findings from the Report
- The report, titled 'Spotlight on the Top 25 Methane Plumes in 2025: Landfills', was released by UCLA.
- Data was sourced from Planet Labs' Tanager-1 satellite and NASA's EMIT instrument on the International Space Station in the year 2025.
- In India:
- The waste facility in Secunderabad, Telangana, emits 5.9 tonnes of methane per hour, ranking fourth globally.
- The waste facility in Mumbai, Maharashtra, emits 4.9 tonnes of methane per hour, ranking twelfth on the list.
- The highest emitter is a facility in Argentina, releasing 7.6 tonnes of methane per hour.
Implications
Cara Horowitz, executive director of the UCLA Emmett Institute, highlighted the serious health and environmental risks posed by high levels of methane emissions, especially as many of these sites are close to urban areas.
