【COP30 Side-Event】From Neglect to Action: Multilevel Solutions to End Open Waste Burning
Day：2025.12.10
event ｜
Person in charge
| Name | Organization | Position |
| UENISHI Yoshiki | Environmental Management and Climate Change Group, Global Environment Department | Deputy Director |
Overview
Date：2025/11/11
Co-organizer：UN-Habitat, JICA, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies(IGES), Engineering-X, International Solid Waste Association(ISWA)
Location（Pavilion Name)：SDG Pavilion
Moderators and panelists
| Name | Organization | Position |
| Asa Jonason | UN-Habitat | Head, Global Water Operators' Partnership Alliance |
| ITO Teruyuki | JICA | Director General, Global Environment Department |
| Martina Otto | UNEP | Head of Secretariat, Climate and Clean Air Coalition |
Primary objectives and outcomes
This event was led by UN-Habitat, which, together with JICA, launched the 'African Clean Cities Platform' (ACCP). It aimed to address the issue of open burning of waste—an area that has received little attention so far—by linking it to climate change and encouraging countermeasures.
Content of the discussions
Under the moderation of UN-Habitat, presentations were made by JICA and UNEP.
JICA introduced the initiatives of the 'African Clean Cities Platform' (ACCP), technical cooperation to improve waste collection and transportation in Kenya, and support for improving final disposal sites using the Fukuoka Method. He explained that by improving the overall waste management system, they ultimately aim to contribute to eliminating open burning. He also highlighted importance of careful dialogue with stakeholders including local residents and others during implementation of projects. Furthermore, by referencing discussion at TICAD9, he emphasized that waste management is not only a climate change mitigation measure but also an important climate change adaptation measure, as it can help prevent urban flooding caused by internal water accumulation.
UNEP pointed out that open burning releases not only carbon dioxide but also other chemicals that cause health hazards, and that the remaining ash can lead to soil contamination and water pollution. Despite these issues, open burning has not been included enough in the climate change agenda so far. UNEP stressed the need for stakeholders to work together to eliminate open burning by promoting waste collection and transportation, encouraging recycling, and mobilizing financial resources.
Panel Discussion
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