AQESHOW - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Landfills account for over 23% UK’s methane emissions (13.618 MtCO2e, NAEI 2021) and is the second largest emitter after agriculture. The ESA have stated the potential to reach 85% of landfill CH4 capture by 2030, which based on current modelled generation represents is a potential emission saving of 4.1 MtCO2eq p.a. (NAEI 2021). At present, we model landfill emissions (at population scale based on mass of deposition and assumed composition and biodegradability) using MELmod. This means that at present site level annual emission estimates, do not exist. We have identified this as an area where research is needed to support future reporting and pathways towards methane emission reduction in the waste sector. Our research projects aim to design a robust and cost-effective survey approach as a step towards quantification of annual site-specific landfill methane emissions. The projects combine long term measurement with a series of discrete surveys to understand how we can provide an accurate and efficient annual estimate. Measuring methane emissions from specific landfill sites will help us validate or replace our model with empirical data and provide an approach and rationale for net zero reporting data, and regulatory improvements. Here we present the statutory context and initial results of our current research projects alongside a roadmap towards advancing the monitoring of landfill methane emissions as developed by a multi-stakeholder workshop.