Waste management and climate change

This course focuses on the interconnection between waste management practices and climate change mitigation. It explores how improper waste handling contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and resource depletion, and examines innovative strategies for sustainable waste reduction. Students will learn about the principles of the circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, and the role of waste segregation, recycling, composting, and energy recovery in reducing environmental impact.

The course also covers international frameworks and policies addressing climate change and waste management, such as the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Through lectures, discussions, and case studies, students will develop analytical skills to evaluate waste management systems, assess environmental impacts, and propose policy and technical solutions for sustainable development.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to link waste management practices to climate change outcomes and identify actionable pathways for minimising carbon footprints at the local, national, and global levels.

General learning outcomes

• Understand the relationship between waste management systems and climate change.
• Identify and evaluate sustainable waste management practices and technologies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of international frameworks and strategies such as EPR and the circular economy.

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