Nairobi is among 13 developing countries that are committing to slashing the emissions from waste and garbage in the country.
Nairobi will be joining the C40 and their Pathways to Zero Waste Accelerator project which is committed to reaching zero waste by 2030.
C40 is a network of about 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities who are working to deliver the urgent action needed to confront the climate crisis.
In a press release, the C40 said Nairobi together with Accra, Amman, Bengaluru, Buenos Aires, Curitiba, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Ekurhuleni, Freetown, Quito, Rio de Janeiro and Tshwane had made the bold step as the first signatories to the commitment.
“By signing up to C40’s accelerator, Nairobi will commit to working toward a set of ambitious targets by 2030."
"They include providing timely city-wide waste collection services, treating at least 30 per cent of organic waste and reducing waste disposal emissions by at least 30 per cent,” they said.
This commitment, they added, will improve the quality of life for city residents, and deliver massive climate benefits through the reduction of up to 1 million tonnes of methane emissions per year.
Nairobi generates about 3,000 metric tonnes of waste daily and most of it is disposed of at the Dandora dumpsite, the largest in the city.
The dumpsite was considered full in 2001 and is therefore not sustainable.
Residents of the area have been suffering from chronic respiratory diseases for years.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had said he would work on the issue of waste management in the county, which has been a pain point for previous Governments.
“The Accelerator aims to set cities on a path to a cleaner, healthier, more resilient and inclusive future. We want to create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive,” they said.
The initiative was officially launched at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires on October 21.
