DESCRIPTION
The Morocco Landfills’ Gas Capture, Flaring and Use Program avoids methane emissions at a number of new or rehabilitated landfills by capturing the biogas produced by solid waste. The program promotes the flaring or use of landfill gas (LFG) for energy production.
The Fonds d’Equipement Communal, Morocco’s municipal development bank, will develop and manage the activities. The municipalities participating in the program will either construct and operate the project themselves or contract it out to the private sector.
In addition to methane, the program will reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Morocco by displacing the production of electricity or heat energy based on fossil fuels.
This Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Program of Activities will generate about 1 million carbon credits by 2020 and will sell these to the World Bank’s Carbon Partnership Facility (CPF). The program is expected to reduce emissions and generate carbon credits beyond 2020 as well.
CONTEXT
The Moroccan government launched an ambitious reform program when it approved the National Solid Waste Program in September 2006 and adopted the Solid Waste Management Law 28-00 in November 2006. Municipalities are now required to improve their sanitary services and waste disposal practices, rehabilitate or close open dump sites, and promote the construction of sanitary landfills. However, this program goes beyond the requirements of the law by supporting LFG extraction, flaring, or use for electrical or thermal power generation. Along with the reform, a legal framework for private sector participation in street cleaning, municipal waste collection and disposal was set up. As a result, concession contracts have been awarded to private sector operators for the construction and operation of sanitary landfills.
Given the financial burden, municipalities are not keen to invest in LFG elimination or utilization projects. This program will help promote investment by generating a revenue stream for municipalities or private landfill operators through the sale of carbon credits.
RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
- The first LFG project under the program - the landfill of Greater Rabat, located in Oum Azza - will start generating carbon credits in July 2015.
- Overall, the waste management program in Morocco will not only contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also generate local environmental and social benefits like improved air quality by reducing pollution and hazards associated with LFG emissions.
- It will also help support an integrated municipal solid waste management approach and catalyze financial resources towards sound and streamlined sustainable development practices in the solid waste management sector in Morocco.