Indian Waste Facilities Among Top Methane Emitters Globally

In a recent report by the University of California (UCLA), waste facilities in Telangana and Maharashtra have been spotlighted as significant contributors to global methane emissions. These sites are part of the top 25 identified globally, raising concerns about their impact on climate change.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 30% of global warming since preindustrial times, is emitted at alarming rates from these facilities. Telangana's Secunderabad emits 5.9 tonnes per hour, ranking 4th on the list, while Maharashtra's site in Mumbai releases 4.9 tonnes per hour, coming 12th.

The study, utilizing data from Planet Labs' Tanager-1 satellite and NASA's EMIT instrument, indicates a pressing issue that these emissions pose, particularly as these facilities are located near urban areas, threatening public health.