Description
Inappropriate waste management is one of the largest producer of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A municipal waste management, including sludge management as well as local energy supply is under the responsibility of local municipalities in Latvia. This task and thus reduction of the GHG need both specific and general knowledge. In the planning of the short and long term programmes for their tasks, local municipalities are strongly involved with local enterprises and their understanding. Further, the enterprises and municipalities are connected with a capacity of the Regional Environmental Boards in defining technical prescriptions, introduction of the innovative technologies and respective control. The aim of the project is to develop education programme for representatives of the municipalities, experts of the environment, waste and water and Regional Environmental Boards about reduction of the GHG from waste management.
Summary of project results
Improper waste management is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Latvia. The volume of emissions due to the activities of the waste management branch was 5.5% in 2012 of the total GHG emissions produced in the national economy. Project’s objective was to inform the public and enhance their awareness and knowledge on climate change impact caused by anthropogenic processes – waste and waste water management, and opportunities to reduce GHG emissions. Municipal waste management, including sludge management, is under the responsibility of local municipalities in Latvia. In planning short- and long-term programmes, local municipalities are strongly involved with local enterprises. In order to achieve the planned objective a module of professional educational programme and a handbook “Municipal Solid Waste Management and Waste-Water Technology and Management” is developed. Educational programme is approbated according to regional planning. Programme’s target audience includes main representatives of the municipalities, environmental experts and regional environmental boards. The educational programme, developed in the project, covers a wide range of issues that refers not only to climate policy, but also to practical anthropogenic impact analysis of the causes and solutions to overcome them – waste management greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’ mitigation.
Summary of bilateral results
The achievement of the planned goals was realized in cooperation with Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). The NILU scientists have contributed to the educational material designed for the course, aiming to support and increase professional knowledge in waste, water, energy and agricultural management sectors and local government. As part of the programme, open lecture discussions, were held at the University of Daugavpils, the Liepaja University, the Ventspils University College, the University of Latvia and at the Latvian University of Agriculture. The objective of these events were to inform the public about how anthropogenic processes such as waste and waste water management affect climate change, and how they may contribute to reduce GHG emissions.