As Canada seeks to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, they are looking at various sources of GHGs, including methane from landfills.
This focus on methane led to the release of two “measures” to address methane. The first measure is outlined in a document by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), “Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction.” The draft document was available as of January (2022).
Federal Offset Protocol
According to the news release on January 29, 2022, from The Government of Canada, “The Government is seeking public and stakeholder input on the draft Landfill Methane Recovery and Destruction protocol developed for use under the Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada). The latest element of the proposed federal greenhouse gas (GHG) offset system will provide financial incentives in the form of credits to landfill operators to use technologies that reduce methane emissions. Landfill operators will be able to generate offset credits for capturing methane from their operations and destroying it or repurposing it into energy with technologies such as flares, boilers, turbines, and engines. The deadline for comments is February 18, 2022.”
To submit feedback on the draft protocol, or for more information on this consultation process, email the Offsets and Emissions Trading Section at creditscompensatoires-offsets@ec.gc.ca.
According to ECCC, “The Federal GHG Offset System is being developed under Part 2 of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA). The proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada) were published in Canada Gazette, Part I (PDF), on March 6, 2021.”
Regulating Landfill Methane Emissions
The other measure to address methane from landfills is found in a second document, “Reducing methane emissions from Canada’s municipal solid waste landfills: discussion paper.” This document is seeking comment on whether new regulations are necessary.
From the document: “While provinces and territories have made significant efforts to reduce generation and increase diversion of biodegradable waste from landfills, additional regulatory action is necessary to help reduce and eventually eliminate landfill methane emissions. Diverting this waste preserves landfill capacity and contributes to a circular economy that uses waste as an input to create new products and renewable energy. Under the waste hierarchy, waste management approaches that prioritize waste reduction, recycling and energy generation are preferred to landfilling. By 2030, increased diversion alone could reduce landfill methane emissions by 3 Mt CO2 eq” (emphasis added). NOTE: CO2e is carbon dioxide equivalent.
If you would like to comment on this document, submit your comments prior to April 13, 2022. Comments and information can be provided via an on-line form or can be submitted to the e-mail address provided below: Environment and Climate Change Canada Waste Reduction and Management Division E-mail: ges-dechets-ghg-waste@ec.gc.ca.
About Landfill Gasses
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Register states, “Landfill gas is composed of a mixture of hundreds of different gases. By volume, landfill gas typically contains 45% to 60% methane and 40% to 60% carbon dioxide. Landfill gas also includes small amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs) such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride.”
Landfills and GHGs
According to reports, Canada has over 10,000 landfill sites across the country and according to the Prairie Climate Centre, landfills and wastewater account for 3.5% of our GHGs.
Globally, Canada accounts for 1.52% of the global CO2e emission or 722.8 Megatons.
Reducing these emissions will help the Canadian Government achieve its 2030 targets to reduce overall GHGs by 40-45% below 2005 levels. This will also help the government reduce methane emissions by 30% as part of its commitment to the Global Methane Pledge.
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