【Activity Review】“China Integrated Waste Management NAMA Project Steering Committee Meeting 2021” was successfully held in Beijing

On April 16^th, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and China Association of Urban Environmental Sanitation (CAUES) jointly organized the China Integrated Waste Management NAMA Project Steering Committee Meeting in Beijing Xiyuan Hotel. A total of 21 representatives from the project policy partner MoHURD, embassies of Britain, Denmark and Germany in China, GIZ, project implementation partner CAUES, and five demonstration cities (Suzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Bengbu and Tai’an) attended the meeting.

(Opening © IWM NAMA)

IWM NAMA project implementation progress and 2021 work plan

The IWM NAMA Project team reported on the implementation progress and 2021 annual work plan. Since the implementation of the project in September 2017, the archived project milestones are the following: (1) establishing and implementing the project’s carbon emission monitoring and evaluation system; (2) selecting demonstration cities and completing the baseline studies; (3) providing technical assistance to the demonstration cities and evaluating their results; (4) establishing and implementing a national knowledge sharing platform, and (5) completing the project’s mid-term evaluation. In terms of technical assistance, the project conducted special research on the comprehensive management system of MSW, technical evaluation of organic waste treatment technologies, financial sustainability of the waste industry, policy tools and business models. In terms of capacity building, the project organized several comprehensive waste management seminars and international forums. At the same time, the waste segregation publicity and education materials were compiled and delivered to the demonstration cities.

In 2021, the IWM NAMA project will conduct a comprehensive research on the topics of the “13^th Five-Year Plan” related to MSW management and its development in the “14^th Five-Year Plan” as well as a Full Cost Assignment of MSW management on city level, compile evaluation indicators for the comprehensive management of MSW and technical standards for organic waste treatment technologies. In addition, the project will carry out GHG reduction monitoring and capacity-building activities as planned and provide further technical support and policy recommendations for the demonstration cities. In order to enhance the low-carbon development of China’s environmental sanitation industry, the dissemination of project results will be further conducted, and the communication and cooperation among government agencies, private companies and citizens will be strengthened.

(The IWM NAMA Project team reporting on the implementation progress and 2021 annual work plan © IWM NAMA)

Policy dialogue and outlook of the demonstration cities

The representatives of the demonstration cities gave a brief introduction of the waste management situation in their respective cities, and put forward the work plan during the 14^th Five-Year Plan period. They also recommended to further implement and refine the link between waste management and low-carbon development at the technical level and to provide support for the industry and related companies to participate in carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategies. Further technical support and policy recommendations from the NAMA project team, which include solutions for landfill closures and the potential land-use after the closure is demanded. In terms of publicity and education, it was recommended to provide more international perspectives and publicity forms as well as best case experiences.

(Statements by representatives of demonstration cities © IWM NAMA)

Conclusion

Taking waste segregation as an opportunity, China’s waste management is in the transition stage from simple waste treatment into an integrated waste management and resource management. It is necessary to change and adjust the perception of waste management, from governance mechanisms, financial models, technical systems, social management, public participation and other dimensions to promote the establishment of a comprehensive waste management system. The NAMA project will continue to provide technical support to the cities in the process of promoting integrated waste management to further demonstrate the concept of low-carbon development from the perspective of MSW management. At the same time, the project will further promote the knowledge communication between cities, governments, and institutions, as well as between various stakeholders, to strengthen the domestic and international development of the NAMA project.

(Group photo of participants © IWM NAMA)