…the emission factor of methane gas is 28 times that of ordinary CO2.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has underlined the need to improve waste management to reduce the production of methane gas, a type of greenhouse gas (GHG) with greater global warming potential than CO2.
During a discussion here on Friday, director of waste management at the ministry, Novrizal Tahar, said that the issues of waste and waste management are directly linked to climate change because less-than-optimal waste management produces methane gas.
Further, black carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2) are also produced when waste handling involves burning waste, he added.
"As we know, currently the IPCC, the international panel on climate change consisting of experts, has determined that the emission factor of methane gas is 28 times that of ordinary CO2," he pointed out.
Thus, Tahar said, the production of one ton of methane gas is equivalent to 28 tons of CO2 equivalent.
"So, this means that waste management, especially organic waste, which has the potential to release methane gas is a serious problem for the climate," he added.
Not only climate, he added, waste management is also closely related to efforts to maintain ecosystems, both on land and at sea. The loss of biodiversity is related to the issues surrounding waste reduction and management, he continued.
The problem of pollution is also related to rubbish and waste. He said that Indonesia is currently involved in global preparations for a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in maritime areas.
"It even started from decreasing primary plastic production. It's not just in the downstream that (there is a) need to have waste management," Tahar said.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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