Recycle Organics Program Expands to the Pacific Islands

The program will support Fiji and Samoa in reducing GHG emissions within the waste sector

WASHINGTON, DC – The Recycle Organics program is set to expand to the Pacific Islands, supporting Fiji and Samoa in reducing their methane emissions from the waste sector, as announced this week by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), with support from the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) and ImplementaSur. Expanding the Program to the Pacific Islands will build on the momentum coming out of the Recycle Organics Latin America and the Caribbean program, which was officially launched during an inaugural Workshop held in Chile this March.

The overall goal of the Recycle Organics program is to facilitate conditions for a sustained expansion of organic waste management technologies and accelerate methane mitigation projects that bring significant environmental, economic and social benefits to the countries and regions it supports. With the addition of Fiji and Samoa, the Program currently supports 12 countries. Opportunities to reduce GHG emissions exist through the implementation of composting plants, anaerobic digesters and the capture of gas from landfills.

“CCAP is pleased to see the Recycle Organics Program grow and expand across the world with the addition of two Pacific Island countries in Fiji and Samoa,” said CCAP Executive Director Allison Bender-Corbett. “Reducing methane emissions is critical, as deep reductions of this powerful greenhouse gas must be achieved by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C. We’re excited to have the opportunity to support more SIDS in their circular economy transition, bringing them closer to reaching their climate goals.”

CCAP and ImplementaSur will provide technical assistance and develop a pipeline of projects within the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) sector, while helping countries develop national policies that transform the sector in the long term. ECCC will provide CAD$3.5 million over three years to help Fiji and Samoa achieve their Paris Agreement targets and transition towards solid waste management best practices.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Thursday during the fourth Leaders-level meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate, also stating that “Canada is joining the Methane Finance Sprint to raise funding ahead of COP28 to help developing countries tackle this potent greenhouse gas.”

During the MEF, the United States also pledged to contribute $1 billion USD to the Green Climate Fund to help developing countries transition to clean energy and strengthen their climate resilience. The U.S. additionally committed to raising at least $200 million USD ahead of COP28, as part of the Methane Finance Sprint initiative.

Each year, 2.01 billion tons of MSW is generated—a major emitter of methane. Methane has an 86 times greater warming potential than CO2 over a 20-year period. Achieving cost-effective reductions in the three main anthropogenic sources of methane—waste, agriculture and fossil fuels—could avoid 0.3°C of warming by 2050.

The Recycle Organics program also seeks to help countries overcome regulatory barriers, raise awareness of concrete actions that can reduce methane emissions and build capacity in the region. The Program has a particular focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), since they historically contribute the least to climate change but are typically hit the hardest by its cascading effects. The Program aims to build on the success of the Global Methane Pledge and accelerate participating countries’ progress towards achieving a circular and carbon-neutral waste sector.

To learn more about the current Recycle Organics LAC program, visit the new website, where you can also access organic waste management resources such as composting guides and other educational materials available to the public.

The original Reciclo Orgánicos program that took place in Chile was a huge success, resulting in a national organic waste strategy as well as 15 composting plants, two bio-digestion projects and five gas capture initiatives and is expected to reduce 9.5 million tons of CO2 by 2040.

About the CCAP Methane Mitigation and Waste Program

The overarching goal of the CCAP Waste Program is to reduce GHG emissions in the waste sector by advancing policies, programs and projects that contribute to sustainable waste management. In the past, CCAP led the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Latin American Regional Waste City Network—a network of 24 of the largest cities in the region to build the capacity of waste stakeholders at the municipal level—to provide a forum for participants to share best practices and learn from others in the region and help cities prioritize MSW actions and measures.

CCAP is also developing a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector in Peru, under the Mitigation Action Facility. The goal of Peru’s Waste NAMA is to reimagine the country’s waste sector from a system that relies on final disposal to one that introduces circular economy concepts and strives to reduce and capture methane emissions and convert them to useable products such as compost or energy. To learn more, check out this recent story.

About the ECCC

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is Canada’s lead federal department for strategic action on a wide range of environmental matters, including clean growth and climate change, preventing and managing pollution, conserving nature, and predicting weather and environmental conditions. The Department focuses on the interdependence of environmental sustainability and economic well-being. ECCC works in partnership with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous partners, and communities to deliver important programs and services that are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of Canadians and the environment in a manner that respects the Government of Canada’s commitment to openness, effectiveness and transparency in government.

About ImplementaSur ImplementaSur designs and implements sustainable and resilient practices in mitigation and adaptation to climate change. From a systemic vision, the organization transforms the challenges of climate change into an opportunity to create value. ImplementaSur also led the design and implementation for the initial Reciclo Orgánicos program.

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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC.