The latest European Environment Agency (EEA) policy briefing on methane emissions explicitly acknowledges the role of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) in mitigating methane emissions from the waste sector. This is welcomed by ESWET, the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology association, as this acknowledgment "marks a crucial step in aligning EU policy with the most effective strategies for tackling landfill emissions."
Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 84 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO2) over 20 years.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) policy briefing, “Methane, climate change and air quality in Europe: exploring the connections” published on February 27, 2025, the waste sector is the “second largest methane emitter in Europe, with approximately 97 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) of methane emitted in 2022 (EEA, 2025).”
Landfills are the largest source in the waste sector
The EEA notes that the largest contributor to methane emissions in the waste sector is “solid waste disposal (primarily landfills), which accounts for about 80 percent of the sector’s methane emissions.
EEA points out that methane emissions from solid waste disposal and wastewater treatment have decreased since 1990. This is due to the increased separate collection, recycling, and pre-treatment of waste, as well as by diverting waste from landfill to biological treatment and energy recovery.
In addition, methane emissions are further reduced through improved landfill gas (LFG) capture and recovery. Based on the Member States projections of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the EEA projects that methane emissions from the waste sector will decrease by 52 percent by 2050 (EEA, 2023).
The EEA also notes that the Waste Framework Directive, the Landfill Directive and circular economy policies and actions have contributed to reducing methane emissions from the waste management sector (EEA, 2024a).
Acknowledgement of Waste-to-Energy’s role welcomed
ESWET, the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology association, welcomes the EEA report as it explicitly acknowledges the role of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) in mitigating methane emissions from the waste sector.
The EEA analysis recognises that diverting waste from landfills to biological treatment and energy recovery significantly reduces methane emissions.
This stands in contrast to the 2020 EU Methane Strategy, which ESWET says “overlooked WtE’s role in landfill methane abatement, despite its proven impact.”
Germany illustrates how WtE contributes to cutting methane emissions, as shown in an ESWET case study.
After Germany banned landfilling of untreated organic waste in 2005 and expanded its WtE infrastructure, methane emissions from landfills plummeted from 35.5 million tonnes in 1990 to just 7.5 million tonnes in 2018.
A necessary policy shift
The EEA briefing acknowledges that WtE plays an essential role alongside recycling and other recovery operations, a long-awaited correction to the EU’s methane mitigation approach.
ESWET calls on EU policymakers to build on this momentum and ensure that the upcoming revisions to waste and climate policies integrate WtE as a key pillar of methane reduction efforts.
The upcoming Circular Economy Act must build on this recognition and ensure that WtE is fully integrated into the EU’s waste management framework, strengthening its role in reducing landfill reliance and mitigating methane emissions.
The EEA’s recognition of Waste-to-Energy in methane mitigation is a significant step forward. We urge policymakers to reflect this in future regulations and ensure a holistic approach that fully integrates WtE into the EU’s waste and climate strategies, said Dr Siegfried Scholz, President of ESWET.
