African Nations Lag on Methane Pledge, Favouring Incineration over Zero Waste 

Despite international commitments to slash methane, an analysis of new national climate plans (NDCs) shows that most African nations are failing to leverage effective, community-led strategies to curb waste-sector emissions, instead relying on costly, harmful disposal methods.

The report, released by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), examined NDCs from 14 Global South countries, including African signatories to the Global Methane Pledge such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The findings reveal that while many plans acknowledge the potential for mitigation, the majority are weak or outright harmful to recycling efforts and local jobs.

Waste accounts for 20% of human-caused methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas with massive warming potential. GAIA’s research highlights that simple, “zero waste” strategies—such as source separation, composting, and improved dumpsite practices—can cut these emissions by up to 95% while creating decent, sustainable jobs.

However, the analysis found that many countries, including African nations, are overlooking these proven methods.

Ten of the fourteen NDCs studied were categorised as weak or harmful, and
Morocco was cited explicitly for planning to establish or expand waste-to-energy infrastructure (incineration). Incineration emits carbon dioxide, undermines local recycling systems, and displaces the very workers who drive material recovery.

A crucial omission across the majority of the analysed NDCs was the failure to integrate waste pickers formally.

Africa’s millions of informal waste workers are essential to material recovery and are the backbone of recycling systems. Ignoring their role is not only a social injustice but also a serious missed opportunity to formalise a key workforce and scale up recycling efforts.

While Nigeria was noted for placing increased emphasis on a just transition—including references to job retraining and skills development for informal workers—most other countries failed to take this necessary step.

A Call for an African Leapfrog

The report emphasises that countries in the Global South, including those in Africa, have the opportunity to “leapfrog false solutions” like incineration and move directly to effective zero-waste models, provided they receive the right financing.

The upcoming COP30 climate conference is now framed as a ‘critical moment’ for African governments to correct course.

“We urge governments to embrace zero waste as a climate solution, with waste pickers and communities at its heart,” says Mariel Vilela, director of the global climate program at GAIA. “The upcoming COP30 climate conference is a moment to share success stories and get money flowing to the people making things happen on the ground.”