Introduction > 1: Understand the Context > 2: Engage Stakeholders > 3: Establish Baseline > 4: Set Goals > 5: Develop Policies and Programs > 6: Implement Policies and Programs > 7: Evaluate, Report, and Adapt > Case Studies > Japan
In response to its United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commitments, Japan is tackling waste management to reduce methane emissions. In its 4th Biennial Report to the UNFCCC, Japan described two new standards on waste management, which were adopted in 2016 as part of the National Plan for Adaptation to the Impact of Climate Change (Step 6, Implement Policies and Programs)
- Reduction in the amount of waste for final disposal — this national standard banned the direct landfilling of organic municipal waste. This standard applies to municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial waste. For MSW, it will reduce methane emissions through the treatment of organic wastes outside of landfills, avoiding anaerobic decomposition, which is the process that generates methane. For the industrial waste sector, the standard reduces the final disposal volume of industrial waste, and associated methane emissions, by promoting waste reduction, product reuse and product recycling.
- Adoption of semi-aerobic landfill structure in final waste disposal sites — this national standard applies to new construction of landfills, limiting new sites to specific landfill technology, specifically the use of semi-aerobic structures. The “Fukuoka method” creates aerobic conditions by installing pipes that introduce air to all sections of a landfill.
The Japan Ministry of the Environment reported a decrease in total and per capita volumes of waste generation from 2019 to 2020, based on an evaluation of survey data. Japan provides an example of the type of survey data that could be used with other indicators and qualitative information to evaluate policies, report results, and adapt policies as needed (Step 7, Evaluate, Report, and Adapt).
Relevant Framework Steps