Countdown to COP30: CCAC 2025 Conference Spotlights Global Methane Solutions and Opportunities
- CCAP
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
On the Road to COP30: CCAC 2025 Conference Sets the Stage for Ambitious Action on Reducing Global Super Pollutants
As we draw closer to COP30 in Belém, Brazil this November, the global community is ramping up efforts to tackle climate change, with a particular focus on reducing super pollutants like methane. The 2025 Climate and Clean Air Conference that took place this past March in Brasilia served as a critical milestone, bringing together hundreds of delegates from around the world to discuss actionable solutions in the lead-up to this year’s pivotal climate discussions.
At the heart of the conference was a stark reminder of methane's role in accelerating global warming. Responsible for nearly half of today’s net warming, methane receives only 2% of global climate finance—an issue that must be urgently addressed. The waste sector is accountable for 20% of global methane emissions, making it the third-largest source of overall emissions. However, while nearly 100 countries are working on national methane action plans, only a fraction of them have set specific targets for methane reductions in waste management.
The conference underscored the need for a 3.5-time increase in investments to meet the necessary reduction targets. Despite significant progress, the allocated funding for methane mitigation in 2024—just $13.7 billion—falls well short of what is needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change in this decade.
For Recycle Organics (RO), which participated in the conference alongside other climate leaders, the focus on methane and super pollutant reduction aligns perfectly with the Program’s mission to accelerate emissions reductions in the waste sector and beyond. The Recycle Organics leadership of Allison Bender-Corbett (CCAP Executive Director), Gerardo Canales (ImplementaSur Director), Brooks Shaffer (CCAP Methane Mitigation Program Manager) and Hernán López (ImplementaSur Consulting Manager) participated in various panels and dialogues throughout the week, sharing successes and looking to raise $2.5 million to expand RO’s global network of countries.
As part of a broader objective, throughout the three days of the conference, the Recycle Organics team emphasized its commitment to scaling and raising awareness for organic waste management policies and technologies, designed to curb methane emissions and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Quick Methane and Waste Stats
Global Methane Pledge: 159 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period and a major precursor of tropospheric ozone, a dangerous air pollutant.
Approximately 1 million premature deaths globally are attributed to tropospheric ozone each year due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): 168 active NDCs include methane reduction, but fewer than 30 specifically target emissions from fossil fuels. In addition to addressing methane and other super pollutants, there’s also a clear opportunity to integrate better air quality standards into countries’ NDCs 3.0.
Methane also damages crops and ecosystems, reducing the yield of staple crops by 5-7% annually, threatening food security.
A Systemic Approach to Waste Management and Methane Reduction
Representing CCAP in front of a packed room, Brooks presented on Recycle Organics’ unique systemic approach to mitigating methane emissions from waste. With a portfolio of 50 active projects across 25 developing countries, the RO team is focused on scaling a range of organic waste management technologies. These technologies include composting, anaerobic digestion, vermicomposting, landfill gas capture and black soldier fly technologies, all of which play a crucial role in addressing methane emissions from organic waste.
However, while nearly 100 countries are working on national methane action plans, only a fraction of them have set specific targets for methane reductions in waste management.
To meet the Global Methane Pledge, methane emissions from landfills and wastewater must decline by at least 60% by 2030. This can only be achieved with an urgent increase in financial support, policy reforms and targeted investments.
Brooks’ presentation emphasized the crucial importance of enabling policy frameworks, project development and knowledge sharing—each component working in harmony to create positive feedback loops and accelerate emissions reductions.
He highlighted the lasting impact of policies and regulatory frameworks, showcasing a recent CCAC-funded RO project in Togo that is successfully leveraging policy tools to reduce open burning, a critical challenge in the region.
Brooks also discussed the importance of both short- and medium-term project development and the pivotal role investment plans play in achieving NDC goals. He further stressed the significance of South-South collaboration and the diverse stakeholders the RO program engages—from municipalities and organic waste generators like hotels, markets and restaurants to farmers and educators.
In another CCAC-funded project, the RO team is working with the Argentine government to develop policy frameworks that will improve the management of organic waste treatment and the recovery of byproducts such as compost, digestate and biogas. This initiative presents significant economic opportunities for Argentina, given its strong agricultural sector and the growing intersection with waste management. By investing in organic waste treatment, the country can diversify its industries, create jobs and improve resource efficiency, benefiting the agriculture, energy and agroindustry sectors.
During the conference, countries from around the world shared their efforts to incorporate super pollutant mitigation into their NDCs, outlining strategies to strengthen their climate action plans. Among these, lower- and middle-income nations were particularly proactive in integrating health considerations into their climate commitments.
For example, Brazil, the host of COP30, highlighted its ambitious approach to addressing super pollutants as part of a broader NDC that targets all greenhouse gases and even links to improved public health measures through climate adaptation. The country has committed to reducing emissions by 59-67% from 2005 levels, with an overarching goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The updated NDC emphasizes the implementation of new SLCP and waste strategies and the optimization of financial mechanisms.
The conference also made strides in advancing sector-specific efforts, including actions in agriculture, heavy-duty vehicles, waste management, fossil fuels and cooling. These collective actions are crucial for reducing methane emissions and addressing their broader impact on climate and human health.
Furthermore, these global efforts are essential for raising awareness and fostering the behavioral change necessary to transform methane-intensive sectors like waste.
Recycle Organics: Making a Global Impact
The CCAC 2025 Conference was a pivotal moment in the fight against super pollutants and the overarching climate crisis. With a renewed focus on methane and super pollutants, the world is on the cusp of critical advancements that can drive real, measurable change in the near term.
Positioned to mitigate up to +31 million tons of CO2e over the next 20 years and divert more than 700,000 tons of organic waste from landfills annually, Recycle Organics remains committed to supporting this global movement, helping countries achieve their climate goals while reducing one of the most potent greenhouse gases. The Program collaborates with countries at various stages of organic waste management, from early to advanced, with a primary focus on developing nations. In fact, 88% of the 25 countries it supports qualify for Official Development Assistance.
Between 2017 and 2025, the Recycle Organics Program has implemented more than 12 projects worth over $13.5 million in funding. The rise in global population, urbanization and increased waste generation demonstrates the urgent need to invest in further proactive mitigation strategies.
Key Quote
We’re collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders—municipalities, the hospitality sector, large generators like hotels and restaurants and launching educational initiatives to inspire the next generation,” said Allison. “It’s all about understanding the crucial role of source separation and the long-term benefits of reducing methane emissions for cleaner air and a healthier environment.”
Looking Forward: Building Momentum Toward COP30
As COP30 quickly approaches, the momentum generated at the CCAC 2025 Conference must be translated into action. Tackling methane and other super pollutants alongside deep decarbonization remains a top priority for climate policy in the coming decade. With the right investments, collaboration and policy frameworks, the global community can take significant strides toward meeting climate goals and safeguarding a sustainable future.
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CCAP’s mission is to support every step of climate action, from ambition to implementation. A recognized world leader in climate policy and action, CCAP creates innovative, replicable climate solutions, strengthens capacities, and promotes best practices across the local, national, and international levels to accelerate the transition to a net-zero, climate resilient future. CCAP was founded in 1985 and is based in Washington, DC.
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