Campaigners say waste prevention, reuse and composting offer better climate benefits than expanding incineration infrastructure, as new report raises concerns about 15 projects across 10 African countries.
By Bunmi Yekini
Climate advocates, researchers and local government representatives have urged governments and climate financiers attending the COP31 climate summit to reject waste incineration and redirect investment towards waste prevention, reuse, repair and composting.
Speaking at a press conference titled “Zero Waste COP – Incinerators Out. Zero Waste In”, campaigners said expanding facilities to burn waste would undermine efforts to tackle climate change, arguing that solutions should focus on reducing waste generation rather than increasing disposal capacity.
“Zero waste is climate action, but only when we address the problem at its source,” said Mariel Vilella, climate programme director at GAIA, an environmental alliance.
She said preventing waste, expanding reuse systems and composting organic materials could reduce emissions while delivering benefits to communities.
The advocates also warned that the climate impact of plastics extended beyond their disposal, with emissions generated throughout their lifecycle, including during production, which is closely linked to fossil fuels.
Mohamed Kamal, coordinator of the Climate Action Network Arab World, said reducing plastic production and expanding reuse should form part of climate strategies.
“We cannot tackle climate change while allowing plastic production to keep expanding,” he said.
Concerns were also raised about the growing promotion of waste-to-energy incineration projects across Africa.
A new report by GAIA Africa examines 15 incineration projects and proposals in 10 African countries, questioning their economic viability and potential long-term consequences.
Weyinmi Okotie, executive director of the Green Knowledge Foundation, said incineration could leave municipalities burdened with expensive infrastructure, expose communities to harmful pollution and divert funding from alternative waste management systems.
“Africa needs solutions that respond to its actual waste realities, not expensive technologies that create new problems,” Okotie said.
The campaigners said inadequate access to climate finance was another obstacle to expanding zero-waste initiatives, particularly at the community and municipal levels.
Jacob Johnson Attakpah, zero-waste director of the Green Africa Youth Organisation, called on governments and climate financiers to redirect funding towards communities and cities already implementing sustainable waste management solutions.
Local governments also have an important role to play, said Shahriar Hossain, representing the government of Bangladesh, noting that cities were both at the frontline of the waste crisis and key to implementing solutions.
He said scaling up zero-waste systems would require political support, sustained public investment and policies that enable cities to move away from conventional disposal practices.
The press conference, moderated by Yogi Tujuliarto of CNN Indonesia, called for climate commitments made at COP31 to be backed by policies and financing that prioritise waste prevention over disposal.
The campaigners’ appeal comes amid growing debate over how countries can reduce emissions from waste while ensuring that climate investments support sustainable and inclusive solutions.