Landfill Methane: A Growing Climate Risk—and an Untapped Energy Opportunity

UCLA STOP Methane Project has identified 25 of the world’s largest methane-emitting landfill sites across 18 countries, based on 2025 satellite data from Carbon Mapper. The analysis tracked about 3,000 methane plumes across more than 700 waste sites. It pinpoints locations with the highest hourly emission rates.

Countries including Brazil, Chile, India, Saudi Arabia and Turkey feature multiple sites, indicating that methane emissions from waste are a global challenge – across regions and income levels.

Turkey Under Spotlight Ahead of COP31

The report gains added relevance as Turkey prepares to host COP31 in November 2026, while having three flagged sites in the country. This includes a landfill near Istanbul that records emissions higher than any of the top 25 ranked sites.

The findings come even as Turkey rolls out initiatives to clean up its waste sector, reflecting the growing urgency to address methane emissions ahead of global climate negotiations.

Why Methane Matters More Than You Think

Methane may be invisible, but its impact is immediate and intense. It is responsible for roughly one-third of current global warming and is up to 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years.

What makes methane critical is its short-lived but powerful effect. Unlike carbon dioxide, which lingers for centuries, methane stays in the atmosphere for about a decade—meaning cutting it can deliver quick climate benefits.

But the risks go beyond climate. Methane contributes to ground-level ozone, worsening air pollution, respiratory diseases, and heart conditions, especially in communities near landfill sites.

However, there is a catch. Methane can be a source of energy.

From Waste Problem to Energy Resource

What makes methane unique among greenhouse gases is that it is not just a pollutant—it is also a usable fuel. Landfill gas typically contains 45–60 percent methane, making it a viable renewable energy source when captured properly.

Captured methane can be converted into electricity to power homes and industries. It can also be used as renewable natural gas (RNG) for transport and pipelines. It is also potent for burning to produce heat in industrial processes. The end use of methane can also be as resourceful as fuel for vehicles or even rockets, as it is the main component of natural gas.

This creates a powerful dual benefit: reducing emissions while replacing fossil fuels.

How Methane Can Be Avoided or Reduced

The UCLA report also highlights that methane emissions from waste are among the easiest and fastest to fix. Key strategies include capturing methane at landfills, in which operators install gas wells and pipelines to extract methane before it escapes. The gas is then used or flared (burned), which significantly reduces its climate impact.

The waste segregation and composting another way to avoid methane. Organic waste, like food and plant material is the main source of methane. Diverting it to composting or biogas plants prevents methane formation in landfills.

It can also be used for energy, utilising appropriate waste-to-energy systems. Instead of letting waste rot, controlled systems convert it into biogas and electricity, turning emissions into revenue.

Better landfill design and covering can help to reduce the methane in the atmosphere. Modern landfills use engineered covers and biocovers to limit methane leakage, although emissions can persist without active gas capture.

A Low-Cost, High-Impact Climate Fix

Methane mitigation is often described as “low-hanging fruit” in climate action. Landfills alone contribute a significant share of global methane emissions, but capturing this gas can simultaneously reduce pollution, improve air quality, and generate energy.

Encouragingly, operators in Chile have already taken steps to reduce emissions after being identified in earlier datasets, showing how transparency can drive action.

A Critical Moment for Action

As the UCLA report entails, methane from waste is both a major climate threat and a major opportunity.

With satellite data now making emissions visible in real time, governments and landfill operators have fewer excuses for inaction. As COP31 approaches, tackling methane – especially from waste – offers one of the fastest ways to slow global warming while creating tangible economic value.

In short, methane is no longer just a problem to avoid – it is a resource waiting to be managed smarter.