Cape Town: The world commemorated the International Reducing CO₂ Emissions Day this, which was officially observed on Jan 28, 2026. The City of Cape Town highlighted the measurable climate and financial benefits which were achieved through its landfill gas extraction and utilisation projects.
Reportedly, the city is significantly reducing its carbon footprint by capturing and safely flaring landfill gas at its landfill facilities, which will then be used to generate electricity at the Coastal Park landfill site. The Landfill Gas, is produced when organic waste decomposes, contains methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of climate change impact.
These projects have enabled the City of Cape Town to generate R36 million through the sale of carbon credits, earned from certified emissions reductions, by reducing harmful emissions.
Carbon credits are issued to registered projects for each tonne of greenhouse gas that is prevented from entering the atmosphere through the use of cleaner technologies. Such credits can then be sold to companies and seeking to offset their own emissions, thereby supporting the selling entities to develop it environmentally with responsible initiatives.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Urban Waste Management – Alderman Grant Twigg said that the climate change is often associated with fossil fuels, but many people do not realise that waste, particularly the organic waste, that can also have a significant climate impact when it is disposed of in landfill sites.
Also, when organic waste breaks down in oxygen-depleted conditions in a landfill, it produces far more potent greenhouse gases than the procedure when it decomposes naturally.
Twigg encouraged the residents to explore alternative ways of managing the organic waste by including composting where possible, as they mark the International Reducing CO₂ Emissions Day. Further, the City of Cape Town provides practical guidance and resources on home composting on its website to help households get started.
Fortunately, composting is not the only way to reduce food waste. There are various other tips that households can keep in mind to reduce the emissions.
Commercial organic waste generators such as restaurants, hotels, food processors, malls and supermarkets must note that they are required to develop a waste management plan, lined in with the Integrated Waste Management By-law of the City of Cape Town, that should include clear strategies for reducing the organic waste.