German landfill operators agree to significantly lower methane emissions

Methane emissions from landfills in Germany will be gradually reduced by a total of one million tonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2027, landfill operators have agreed with the environment ministry. In 2016, emissions of CO2 equivalents in the whole waste management sector stood at 10.5 million tonnes and Germany has set the official target of lowering this figure to 5 million tonnes by 2030. The new goal for methane emissions from landfills could bring the whole sector's emissions down even further. Thus, Germany will have lowered greenhouse gas emissions in the waste management sector by 87 percent compared to 1990 levels.

By 2030, Germany aims to bring down its total greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. The country's waste sector has already reduced emissions significantly compared to others, with a total reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 73.5 percent in 2017 compared to 1990 levels.