CDM AND LANDFILLING (MSW): STUDY OF THE INTEGRATED MUNICIPAL WASTE PROCESSING COMPLEX AT GHAZIPUR, DELHI

The clean development mechanism (CDM) of Kyoto protocol is the first global, environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a standardized greenhouse gas emissions offset instrument. Reduction in one country benefits all other countries. Through CDM, the industrialized countries with GHG reduction obligations under the Kyoto protocol can provide financial support for GHG reduction projects in developing nations. CDM comprises of projects like methane utilization, energy saving, carbon sequestration, fossil fuel switch, biomass energy and other technologies useful in carbon off setting directly or indirectly. Landfilling is one of the most common ways of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal. Landfill gas based CDM project offers the change to reduce GHG emissions while upgrading landfill management practices using revenues generated by the sale of emission reductions. Also with the advent of the Kyoto Protocol and its recognition of the use of forestry activities and carbon sinks as acceptable tools for addressing the issue of the build-up of atmospheric carbon, the potential role of planted forests as a vehicle for carbon sequestration has taken on a new significance. Additionally, the emergence of tradable emission permits and now tradable carbon offsets provides a vehicle for financially capturing the benefits of carbon emission reductions and carbon offsetting activities. Keywords