Sowing the Seeds: Cultivating solutions in the fight against climate change

At the First Congress on Organics and Climate, an ambitious vision for the future of climate action and waste management took root, culminating in the unanimous adoption of the Bengaluru Declaration on Organics and Climate. This gathering highlighted the multitude of solutions to managing organic waste that exist in Asia.

With over 200 participants attending in person and more than 1,400 joining online, the Congress featured representatives from 13 countries representing 70 organisations. This included 98 participants from Bengaluru, 75 delegates from the rest of India, and 45 delegates from Africa and across Asia (other than India.), The group included government officials, civil society organizations, waste picker organisations, farmers, academia, think tanks, research institutions, businesses, and media. More than 20 businesses showcased innovative and practical solutions in organics management, highlighting the latest advancements in the field.

As conversations unfolded, it was emphasised that for countries to meet their sustainable development goals (SDGs) and transition to a sustainable future, the safety, well-being, and justice for waste pickers is a key lens through which waste management must be viewed. “We are the backbone of waste management in our cities. Our voices must be heard in every decision that affects our lives and livelihoods,” asserted Indumathi, a waste picker representing grassroots perspectives. “When we work together with governments and organisations, we can create real change.”

The diversity of proven organic waste management practices was seen at the Congress with the city of San Fernando (Philippines) sharing their effective implementation of source segregation and collection, decentralized composting complemented with a central composting facility, and sorting of recyclables has resulted in a reduction of waste sent to the landfill by 90%. At a more local scale, the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT) in Bengaluru shared their use of a variety of small composting methods (home, lane, microshed composting) based on the local context of space, socio-economics, etc. These contrasting models underscore the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts and integrating diverse community experiences to address the global challenge of waste management effectively. Nalini Shekar, Co-Founder of Hasiru Dala, remarked, “Empowering local communities and weaving their knowledge into waste management practices isn’t just smart; it’s essential for sustainable development. Only by collaborating can we build systems that genuinely serve everyone.”

Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, spoke about the state government’s efforts to upskill rural women to handle trucks, making them the face of effective waste management in their villages. She pointed out, “When women are empowered to manage waste, we not only contribute to climate solutions but also uplift our communities and families.”

These local initiatives align with broader global challenges, such as the staggering 931 million tonnes of food wasted each year, contributing nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The Organics Congress highlighted efforts across Asia to address this critical issue. Panelists spoke of the efforts in countries like Indonesia and Vietnam to divert excess food to feed those in need through community-led food banks while putting in place protocols for food safety and hygiene. The second benefit of diverting edible food is the reduction in the quantity of organic waste produced and therefore ensuring resources invested in food production are not wasted.  Shibu Nair, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific’s Regional Campaigner on Organics, stated, “Addressing food loss and waste is integral to combating climate change. By promoting composting and organic waste recycling, we can turn a problem into a resource that benefits our communities and the environment.”

Froilan Grate, Regional Director of GAIA Asia Pacific, underscored the urgency of tackling methane emissions, stating, “20% of methane, which is more potent than CO2, comes from landfills. And this can be addressed by making sure we divert organic wastes out of landfills - and we have the tools and examples to show that this is doable.” He emphasised that Asia is the home of solutions, showcasing successful examples of organic waste management from cities like Seoul, South Korea and Bandung, Indonesia as evidence of effective, zero waste strategies. The Organics Congress exemplifies this potential, demonstrating that while solutions exist, we need to cross-learn and scale up these initiatives across the region.

Galih Raditya, founder of 1000 Kebun (Garden Group) from Indonesia echoed the dangers of unchecked waste management, recalling a tragedy that highlighted the stakes: “In 2005, the Sarimukti landfill disaster killed 157 people due to a methane explosion. It showed us the dangers of unchecked waste management.”  This harrowing example illustrates why responsible waste management must be a priority for all nations.

A pivotal moment arrived with the reading of the Bengaluru Declaration on Organics and Climate, where participants united in their resolve to combat climate change through innovative waste management strategies. The declaration calls for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to organic waste, firmly rejecting waste incineration as a viable solution. “Effective climate action will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also improve the fundamental ways in which society functions,” it states, framing the fight against climate change as a complex challenge intertwined with social, economic, and political factors.

Manoj CN, Director of the Pelican Foundation and a member of the India Zero Waste Alliance, added, “The path to sustainable waste management lies in collaboration and innovation. By uniting our efforts, we can unlock the potential of organic waste as a valuable resource, transforming challenges into opportunities for our communities.”

As the Organics Congress wraps up, the Bengaluru Declaration stands as a guiding light for future climate action initiatives, reinforcing the plethora of solutions across Asia and communities’ commitments to environmental sustainability and social equity. This gathering marks the first of its kind, with plans already underway to host the next organics congress in Indonesia with Aliansi Zero Waste Indonesia (AZWI) taking the lead. The Organics Congress will continue to build momentum for effective organic waste management and climate solutions across the region.

In a world increasingly grappling with environmental crises, the leaders and advocates present are now tasked with translating the spirit of this declaration into meaningful actions, ensuring their collective efforts foster positive change for communities and ecosystems alike. -Press Release-