Waste disposal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. In China, rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to increasing solid waste generation and greenh...Waste disposal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. In China, rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to increasing solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. Based on the first-order decay （FOD） method recommended by the 2006 IPCC Guidelines, this paper systematically estimates China＇s carbon emissions from the waste sector and forecasts their peak. Results indicate that between 1981 and 2009, China＇s carbon emissions from the waste sector surged, possibly peaking by around 2024. In comparison with developed countries, there is a large potential to improve waste disposal in China. Industrial upgradation and waste disposal improvement will help reduce waste generation and carbon emissions from the waste sector.展开更多
文摘Waste disposal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. In China, rapid economic growth and urbanization have led to increasing solid waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. Based on the first-order decay （FOD） method recommended by the 2006 IPCC Guidelines, this paper systematically estimates China＇s carbon emissions from the waste sector and forecasts their peak. Results indicate that between 1981 and 2009, China＇s carbon emissions from the waste sector surged, possibly peaking by around 2024. In comparison with developed countries, there is a large potential to improve waste disposal in China. Industrial upgradation and waste disposal improvement will help reduce waste generation and carbon emissions from the waste sector.
