A new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) has identified opportunities to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.5 billion tonnes annually by 2035 through waste prevention, improved resource efficiency, recycling and the conversion of organic waste into energy.

Launched at COP31 in Antalya, the report was prepared at the request of the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye, supporting its ambition to advance zero-waste and circular economy approaches under the summit's Action Agenda.

The findings highlight how more efficient use of materials and better waste management could reduce energy demand, strengthen economic competitiveness and support countries' emissions reduction targets.

The IEA estimates that the world generates approximately 2.6 billion tonnes of municipal waste annually. Waste disposal, treatment and incineration account for around 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including nearly one-fifth of human-caused methane emissions.

However, the report notes that the wider emissions impact is considerably greater when the energy and resources used to produce materials that are eventually discarded are included.

The proposed measures could deliver annual emissions reductions equivalent to eliminating emissions from half of the world's car fleet.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: “The way we produce, consume and dispose of resources has far-reaching consequences not only for waste generation, but for our energy systems and our economies. Governments and businesses have the power to accelerate progress towards a zero waste and circular economy, creating the conditions to waste less, use resources more efficiently and make better use of the waste we do generate. As our analysis shows, progress towards these goals can bring numerous benefits, helping countries strengthen their economic competitiveness while lowering their emissions. As strategic partner to the COP31 Presidency, we are pleased to support Türkiye in bringing much-needed attention to this important opportunity.”

Three priorities for resource efficiency

The report identifies three areas with significant potential to accelerate progress.

The first is preventing waste through improved product design and more efficient use of materials. This includes reducing demand for energy-intensive materials such as steel and cement by extending product lifespans and making better use of existing resources.

The second involves improving waste collection, sorting and recycling to recover valuable materials. These measures could help double global plastics recycling by 2035.

The third focuses on converting residual organic waste into energy through sustainable processes, potentially enabling a fourfold increase in biogases production.

Policy and investment priorities

The IEA highlights the need for coordinated action by governments and businesses to translate these opportunities into practical results.

Recommended measures include reforming incentives and performance indicators to prioritise resource efficiency, encouraging circular approaches to product and infrastructure design, and increasing investment in waste collection, recycling and sustainable energy recovery.

The report also identifies professional training, international cooperation and improved access to finance as important requirements, particularly for emerging and developing economies.

While many of the proposed measures rely on existing technologies, the IEA says implementation will require changes in how products, buildings and infrastructure are designed, produced, used and managed throughout their lifecycles.

The findings position circular economy policies as an opportunity to address waste, reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of energy and material use while supporting the COP31 Presidency's zero-waste ambitions. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service