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UK Landfill Emissions need to be reduced by 20% from 1990 levels
The Kyoto protocol has been implemented this February, and it is easy to forget that the baseline date for emissions reductions go back to 1990 - so there has been much growth since which will now need addressing. Nevertheless, this does mean that there will be many opportunities for global warming businesses.
Nearly one third of all methane, the second most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, is emitted in the UK from landfills, and the rate of emissions has been rising since the conference in 1997, so there is plenty of work to be done.
The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the instrument under which the EU will try to achieve the target reduction in greenhouse gas emissions down to 20% below those in 1990 for 2010, and then by 60% by 2050.
A dual “carrot” and a single “stick” approach will be applied:-
- the first “carrot” or incentive, is being given by the ETS and companies will be able to trade for payment for their emissions improvements where these exceed target requirements;
- the second “carrot” or incentive, is from the UK government. It arises from pressure on the electricity supply industry to generate electricity from biofuels including landfill gas, in the form of the Renewables Obligation Scheme (ROCS). The prices developing in this market are encouraging, and are being driven largely by public demand and the public’s willingness to pay a premium on their bills, for “green” electricity (such as from landfill gas (ie biofuel);
- a “stick” or punitive measure exists in the form of the Waste Management Regulations which have recently been tightened in a manner which will put landfill operators under strict obligations to limit landfill gas emissions, by capping and active gas control.
Outside the EU, an instrument which will link into the ETS, is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The CDM allows industrialised countries to invest in developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and qualify for certified emission reductions (CER).
Enviros Consulting is active in several CDM projects of this nature in South Africa. Contact Us here if you operate or manage a landfill in a Developing Nation and would like more information on Enviros and how Enviros can assist in promoting CDM projects, stating your landfill type, size, age since first filling, and any other details you consider are relevant to landfill gas production.
UK Landfill Gas Generation Companies are listed on our Global Warming Businesses Page.
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