When tackling climate change, landfills might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but they should be. Landfills contribute nearly 20% of global, human-caused methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide, trapping heat 28 to 36 times more effectively than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. This makes landfill methane a critical, often overlooked battleground in the fight against climate change.
At the same time, the voluntary carbon market—a key tool for reducing emissions—has faced ongoing questions about the credibility of the emission reductions it finances. This has led some organizations to feel uncertain about which carbon projects deliver actual, well-quantified reductions.
In response to these challenges, the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) introduced the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs). These principles establish higher standards for carbon projects and aim to substantially raise the bar for market effectiveness.
Landfill gas capture is a prime example of a project type meeting these stringent criteria. In fact, it is one of only three project types (from a pool of hundreds of methodologies) currently approved for a CCP label. By capturing methane that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere—and often converting it into renewable energy—these projects offer highly quantifiable and permanent emission reductions, aligning fully with CCP requirements.
Who Is the ICVCM, and Why Are CCPs Important?
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) is a global team comprising many of the world’s thought leaders on climate change, as well as industry experts with a broad range of professional backgrounds, including science, finance, NGOs, policy, and indigenous issues. ICVCM was formed in response to (a) the need to scale the voluntary market to meet the shared global warming goal of 1.5 degrees or less, and (b) concerns about the effectiveness of legacy carbon offset methodologies.
The ICVCM introduced the Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) to address these issues. These ten principles set high standards for carbon project methodologies, covering crucial areas such as additionality, permanence, robust quantification, third-party verification, sustainable development impacts, and measures to prevent double counting.
The CCPs provide a quality benchmark for credit buyers, helping them invest in projects in which they can feel confident.
It’s important to note that ICVCM’s assessments are conducted at the methodology level (and not at the individual project level). 3Degrees recommends that credit buyers augment the assurance conveyed by the CCP label by obtaining project-specific information and determining whether projects exceed or simply meet the minimum requirements imposed by the methodology and meet other buyer criteria. 3Degrees is able to support project-level due diligence.
The Importance of Capturing Landfill Methane
Photo curtesy of Flathead Electric Cooperative
Landfill gas capture projects involve collecting methane produced by decomposing waste in landfills before it is vented into the atmosphere. Once captured, the methane is then destroyed, either in a flare or in equipment that uses it as fuel to produce heat or electricity.
The scale of fugitive methane from landfills is significant. In the United States alone, more than 2,000 active landfills release more than 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of methane annually. While there is hope that organic waste diversion programs will significantly reduce this emission source before the end of this century, not enough is being done to address the waste that is already in place, which typically produces methane for over 40 years after it has been deposited in a landfill.
3Degrees’ Role in Supporting Landfill Gas Capture Projects
Photo curtesy of Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority
3Degrees has been actively developing and managing landfill gas capture projects for nearly 20 years. Our technical project development team uses their decades of experience to ensure our projects meet the most stringent carbon reduction standards. From project inception to periodic onsite verification, our rigorous approach is based on ongoing monitoring and adherence to Core Carbon Principles (CCP) approved methodologies, resulting in emission reductions that are reliable, verifiable, and impactful.
Benefits of landfill gas capture:
Landfill gas capture technology can abate upwards of 90% of methane generated at a landfill, making a substantial impact on overall emissions.
On average, one million tons of landfill waste can produce enough gas to generate 780 kWh of electricity or 216 MMBtu of heat per day. This renewable energy can power local communities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
By capturing harmful pollutants, these projects improve local air quality (including reducing toxins known to cause cancer in humans) and reduce unpleasant odors in surrounding areas, enhancing community well-being.
Landfill gas projects create jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance, while potentially providing lower-cost energy to local communities.
By utilizing waste as an energy source, these projects contribute to resource conservation and circular economy principles.
Take Action
Ready to take your climate strategy to the next level? Landfill methane capture offers an impactful way for organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing meaningful environmental and social co-benefits. Contact us today to learn how procuring CCP-labeled landfill gas credits or engaging in other innovative projects can help you meet your sustainability goals and make a tangible difference. Let’s work together to transform your climate commitments into measurable action!
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