ICT as a Catalyst for Climate Action: Turning Bytes into a Better Planet
TAKEAWAY Technology fuels transformation: ICT is the catalyst behind innovations that are reshaping how we fight climate change across energy, agriculture, waste, and education. Real-time data saves real-world ecosystems: From satellites to sensors, ICT tools give us the intelligence we need to protect forests, track emissions, and predict disasters. Digital solutions are accelerating the green economy: Clean tech startups, green data centres, and digital agriculture are making sustainability profitable and scalable. ICT bridges the global climate knowledge gap: Online platforms are giving communities access to environmental data, resources, and training. The future of climate action is digital: As ICT continues to evolve, its potential to drive systemic climate solutions is just beginning. INTRODUCTION Can climate change be hacked? Not in the literal sense, but ICT is doing something close to it. From satellites mapping deforestation in real time to AI models predicting floods weeks in advance, technology is fast becoming our most powerful ally for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In a world where every second matters, ICT transforms awareness into action and data into decisions. It’s not just about fighting climate change, it’s about staying one step ahead. BACKGROUND Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it’s a present reality. Rising temperatures, shrinking glaciers, and increasingly violent storms are a wake-up call. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that we have until 2030 to cut global emissions in half or risk irreversible damage [1]. But while the threat looms large, a powerful solution lies in our hands in the form of mobile phones, internet access, and digital infrastructure. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) includes everything from software and sensors to broadband and blockchain. According to the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), ICT has the potential to reduce global CO₂ emissions by 20% by 2030, even though the sector contributes only about 2-3% of emissions itself [2]. This is a leverage point: When deployed strategically, ICT is not just part of the solution; it amplifies the solution. Tracking Environmental Challenges, One Pixel at a Time Technology allows us to see what was once invisible. Satellite systems operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (United States) (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and private firms can now detect forest loss, melting ice caps, and methane (CH4) leaks from space. These are critical tools in shaping climate policy and enforcement. For instance, Global Forest Watch uses satellite data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor forests in real-time, alerting authorities of illegal logging within hours [3]. Meanwhile, the Environmental Insights Explorer by Google helps over 3,000 cities globally track building and transport emissions, helping mayors make data-driven climate decisions [4]. Without ICT, these insights would take months or never come at all. Smart Agriculture and Green Tech Agriculture, a major industry which emits greenhouse gases, is undergoing a digital revolution. ICT-powered tools such as precision farming, drone surveillance, and mobile weather forecasting are reducing input waste and increasing yields. In Kenya, applications like iCow and FarmDrive are helping smallholder farmers adapt to unpredictable weather by offering agricultural tips, weather updates, and access to microloans through mobile-based platforms. In India, sensors connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) are enabling farmers to control irrigation systems via SMS, conserving water while boosting food security. These solutions aren’t just reducing emissions, they are safeguarding our livelihoods and conserving the earth’s natural resources.. In the energy sector, smart grids are optimizing power distribution, cutting losses, and integrating renewables more efficiently. In fact, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), smart energy systems powered by ICT could reduce electricity waste by up to 30% by 2030, aligning with global aligning with global climate goals[5]. Digital Empowerment and Education for Climate Climate literacy is no longer limited to scientists. Through mobile apps, virtual classrooms, and gamified learning platforms, ICT is making environmental education accessible and engaging. Applications like Earth Hero and Klima turn climate action into a personal mission, helping users calculate, reduce, and offset their carbon footprints. UN CC: Learn offers free online courses that have educated over 500,000 learners globally on climate resilience, green jobs, and adaptation strategies [6]. In vulnerable communities, ICT is also vital for early disaster warning systems. Text-based alerts on floods, wildfires, and storms have saved thousands of lives in countries like Bangladesh and the Philippines. That’s the power of a single byte in protecting entire populations. ICT and Circular Economy Innovation ICT is the backbone of the emerging circular economy, an economic model focused on designing out waste and keeping resources in use. Smart inventory systems, blockchain-powered product tracking, and mobile platforms for sharing or reusing goods are helping consumers and businesses close the loop. Companies like Too Good To Go, used widely in European countries such as Denmark, France, United Kingdom and Germany, help reduce food waste by using mobile applications that let consumers buy unsold food from restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets at a discounted price; instead of throwing away perfectly good food at the end of the day. These businesses list it on the application, and users can reserve and pick it up at a lower cost. This way, food that would have gone to waste gets eaten, helping both the environment and people looking for affordable meals. Startup companies like Loop which launched in the United States, France and the United Kingdom, use digital platforms to manage reusable packaging systems, allowing consumers to return and reuse branded containers instead of relying on single-use packaging. Blockchain, in particular, is enabling transparency in carbon trading, e-waste recycling, and ethical sourcing [7]. These technologies make sustainability measurable, accountable, and profitable. Youth, Climate, and Digital Advocacy Young people are leading the digital charge for climate justice. Social media platforms have become megaphones for international movements like Fridays for Future and Stop Ecocide. With nothing more than a smartphone, youth activists from Africa to Asia are organizing protests, sharing climate stories, and pressuring world leaders into action [8]. Additionally, platforms like Youth Climate Lab and Connect4Climate use digital storytelling and
Understanding Plastic Credit as a Market-Based Scheme Incentive for Plastic Waste Management
KEY TAKEAWAYS Plastic credits transform waste management into a profitable venture by rewarding organizations that collect or recycle plastic waste and enabling producers to offset their footprints through credit purchases. Multiple globally recognized bodies (e.g., Verra’s Plastic Credit Standard, Plastic Bank, PCX, GPP) employ differing verification criteria, leading to a lack of a universally accepted standard. Implementing plastic credit in Nigeria will bridge the financing gap and encourage plastic collection systems that were otherwise not economical. Transparency, universally accepted standards, and rigorous verification by third-party organisations are essential for the success of the plastic credit system and the reduction of greenwashing. INTRODUCTION According to the world-bank, it is estimated that USD 1.64 trillion of investment will be required by 2040 to tackle pollution[1]. To meet this financial requirement, waste management must be made profitable. Plastic credit is an auditable, tradable, transferable certificate that represents a unit of plastic reduction. The credits are typically earned by organizations that collect and recycle plastic waste, and are bought by organizations that produce or consume plastic to offset their plastic footprint. The revenue made by selling the credit is then used to support plastic waste management programs, resulting in further credit generation. This way, the plastic credit incentivizes waste management by ‘penalizing’ plastic production and consumption while ‘rewarding’ plastic waste prevention. Plastic waste management is a capital-intensive program. In many developing countries, the cost of solid waste management can be as 50% of the total municipal budget [2]. Therefore, there is a need to incentivize plastic waste management by making it sustainable and scalable. The plastic credit system is one innovative way of injecting funds into the waste management program in a sustainable manner. Overall, this acts as an extended producer responsibility (EPR)scheme that will make plastic waste management economically viable and scalable. HOW TO EARN AND TRADE PLASTIC CREDIT All programs and investments that lead to a reduction in plastic pollution typically earn plastic credit after verification and certification by a third-party organization. These include upstream measures aimed at preventing and reducing plastic waste generation and downstream measures such as waste collection and recycling. The credits are issued for specific quantities of plastic waste removed or prevented from entering the environment above a recognized baseline. The baseline refers to the original waste prevention, collection or recycling capability of an organization. This scheme leads to additionality, i.e a net and incremental reduction in plastic waste pollution. Typically, one credit unit equals one metric tonne of plastic waste managed (collected/recycled) beyond that baseline. According to world bank estimate, the value of the unit is 140- 670 USD, depending on the waste collection context and issuing organization[1]. Companies, governments, and individuals who produce or consume plastic can purchase these credits as a way to offset their plastic footprints. CREDIT CERTIFICATION Plastic credit is issued only for plastic collected or recycled above the baseline effort. To ensure transparency, waste reduction efforts must be independently verified by third-party organizations that would then issue a credit certificate. Some of these certification bodies enjoy global recognition, such as: The Plastic Bank, Verra’s Plastic Credit Standard, The Global Plastics Platform (GPP), BVRio, Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), Zero Plastic Oceans (ZPO), etc [1,3]. These organizations employ different standards for verification and issuance of certificates. This is one of the major issues with the plastic credit since there is no uniformly accepted standard, and credit issued by one organization may not be recognized by a company that has not subscribed to that organization. IMPLEMENTING PLASTIC CREDIT SCHEME IN NIGERIA Plastic crediting can be used as a compliance mechanism within EPR schemes. Producers can purchase plastic credits to meet some of their obligations. If operationalized in Nigeria in a transparent, performance driven and structured manner, plastic credit can bridge the financing gap and encourage collection systems that were otherwise not economical. Setting up a plastic crediting system in Nigeria will involve several key steps, including understanding the regulatory environment, engaging stakeholders, creating a transparent tracking mechanism, and developing infrastructure for collection, recycling, and credit distribution. CHALLENGES WITH PLASTIC CREDIT SYSTEMS Not all plastic waste reduction or recycling projects are equally effective. Some may provide minimal environmental benefits, while others may lead to long-term improvements. One of the key challenges is ensuring that credits are issued only for projects that have a substantial impact. If credits are issued too loosely, without rigorous verification of net impact, the value of plastic credits could drop, undermining the financial incentive for the scheme. Additionally, relying too heavily on plastic credits as an offset mechanism might delay the necessary reduction in plastic production and consumption by companies and encourage greenwashing [1,3]. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PLASTIC CREDIT SCHEME Plastic credit should have a clear governance framework that involves external stakeholders from various sectors. The program should use relevant, consistent, universally accepted standards and definitions for measuring impact. The impact should not just pertain to the volume of plastic collected, but also to plastic types, its use, and end point. This is essential because removing one ton of plastic in one context is not the same as removing it in another. Double counting in different schemes or with existing EPR and tax systems should be avoided. The value of Credits should reflect the cost of waste management rather than the material value. This includes the cost of waste management infrastructure and living wages for waste workers. Credit sold to organizations should be transparently reported against the volumes of plastic materials put on the market by the buying companies. Such organization should demonstrate prove they have explored all available waste prevention options given their peculiar situation. These efforts should adhere to the principle of waste management hierarchy by prioritizing reuse and recycling before incineration and disposal of waste. This is essential to prevent organizations from using plastic credit for greenwashing. CONCLUSION Plastic credits are a market-based solution designed to address the global plastic waste crisis by incentivizing plastic waste management. The incentive is provided when plastic reduction efforts generate credit,
The Environmental Cost Of Illegal And Unregulated Granite Quarrying In Nigeria
KEY TAKEAWAYS Illegal Granite Quarrying Is Environmentally Devastating: Unauthorized quarrying is responsible for widespread deforestation, air and water pollution, and irreversible land degradation across several Nigerian states. Health and Safety Risks Are Alarming: Unregulated granite extraction releases harmful dust (PM10), contributing to respiratory illnesses like asthma and sinusitis among nearby residents and quarry workers. Communities and Ecosystems Are Under Threat: Case studies from Abeokuta, Abuja, Edo, and Ebonyi reveal how quarrying disrupts ecosystems, reduces water quality, and destroys farmlands, threatening food security and biodiversity. Earth Tremors in Abuja Highlight Deeper Geotechnical Risks: The recent seismic activities in the Federal Capital Territory may be linked to unregulated blasting, underscoring the need for proper environmental and geological assessments. Sustainable Solutions and Community Action Are Urgently Needed: Stronger regulations, mandatory environmental impact assessments, rehabilitation of quarry sites, and active community engagement are essential to mitigate the environmental crisis. INTRODUCTION A quarry is a large, open excavation site on the earth’s surface where natural resources like stone/rock, gravel, sand, or minerals are extracted. Granite is a hard, coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It forms naturally when molten magma slowly cools and solidifies deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Granite quarrying is the process of extracting granite rock from the earth through open-pit mining methods. For many years, it has served as an important source of construction materials supply, employment and revenue, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, which are endowed with abundant granite deposits. Nigeria’s vast granite reserves have long fueled its construction and mining industries. From road construction to building skyscrapers, granite is an essential raw material. However, behind this booming industry lies a dark reality: illegal granite quarrying is wreaking havoc on the environment, leading to various impacts such as deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, and air contamination. This article explores the environmental cost of illegal granite quarrying in Nigeria, shedding light on the consequences, key case studies, and the urgent need for sustainable mining practices. UNDERSTANDING ILLEGAL AND UNREGULATED GRANITE QUARRYING IN NIGERIA Illegal quarrying refers to the unauthorized extraction of granite without government approval, environmental impact assessments, and adherence to mining regulations. Many of these operations are run by small-scale miners or criminal syndicates, often exploiting rural communities for labour. The lack of oversight means these quarries operate recklessly, leading to widespread environmental degradation. Abeokuta city in Ogun State, for example, known for its abundant granite resources, is flourishing with illegal quarrying, which has caused significant health and environmental damage. A study by Oguntoke Olusegun (2009) shows that granite quarrying in Abeokuta has led to elevated levels of suspended particulate matter (PM10), posing serious health risks to nearby residents and quarry workers. Common issues include nasal infections, asthma, cough, and sinusitis. Similarly, in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and its surrounding areas, rapid urbanization has increased demand for granite, leading to uncontrolled quarrying activities in areas such as Mpape 6, which threaten both the environment and local communities. Another example is granite quarrying in Edo North, Nigeria, where daily activities such as drilling, blasting, crushing, and transporting materials have a significant impact on the environment. These operations contribute to air and noise pollution, water contamination from runoff, and land degradation. With multiple active quarries per community, a study by Okolie K. C. 2021 confirms that quarrying practices have adverse environmental impacts. In Afikpo, Ebonyi State, the environmental impact of rock quarrying goes beyond just the physical destruction of the land. It also affects the quality of air and water in the area. The dust and debris from the quarrying process can contaminate the air and water, making them unsuitable for human consumption 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF ILLEGAL AND UNREGULATED GRANITE QUARRYING Deforestation and Habitat Loss Illegal quarrying often requires clearing large tracts of land, leading to deforestation. The loss of vegetation disrupts ecosystems, endangers wildlife, and contributes to climate change. A study by Adedeji et al. (2020) in Odeda, Ogun State, observed a significant decline in light forest cover from 637.28 hectares in 1984 to 326.52 hectares in 2014, attributed to quarrying activities. This represents nearly a 50% reduction over 30 years. Similarly, Akanwa et al. (2017) reported a 35.2% vegetation cover loss in Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, due to intensive quarrying operations. Soil Erosion and Land Degradation The process of quarrying begins with the removal of vegetation and topsoil. In legal operations, this is done with care and often includes plans for rehabilitation. However, illegal quarrying strips the land bare without any concern for restoration. Once the protective topsoil is gone, the land becomes exposed to wind and water erosion. This leads to the rapid washing away of soil nutrients essential for farming and biodiversity. Several communities have watched their fertile lands slowly transform into barren, rocky outcrops. Quarry pits are left open and untreated, turning into erosion channels and death traps. Rainfall accelerates this degradation, creating gullies and reducing the land’s capacity to support crops or vegetation. Water Pollution and Scarcity During quarrying, overburden removal, drilling, blasting, and rock crushing release large volumes of silt, dust, and chemicals into the environment. Without proper drainage or containment systems, runoff from quarry sites flows into nearby rivers, streams, and groundwater sources. This runoff carries fine particles, heavy metals, and sometimes explosive residues, which degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems. In many rural communities that rely on surface and shallow groundwater for drinking, washing, and farming, this pollution leads to outbreaks of waterborne diseases, loss of fish populations, and reduced access to safe water. The disruption of natural drainage patterns also reduces groundwater recharge, intensifying water scarcity during dry seasons. Air Pollution and Public Health Risks One of the most visible effects of illegal quarrying is the release of large amounts of dust and particulate matter (PM10) into the air. This occurs during blasting, crushing, and the constant movement of heavy trucks. Without dust control systems like sprinklers or barriers, standard in regulated sites, these pollutants are freely dispersed into nearby communities. Residents
The Oil Exploration’s Toll On Niger Delta Region
Key Takeaways Oil exploration has caused severe and long-lasting environmental damage in the Niger Delta region. Gas flaring, oil spills and untreated waste have destroyed ecosystems, including Africa’s largest mangrove forests, and have led to health risks and loss of biodiversity. Pollution has destroyed farming and fishing livelihoods, reduced agricultural productivity by up to 60% and led to major health issues like cancer, birth defects and reduced life expectancy. Failure to address local grievances has fueled instability in the Niger Delta region. The 2011 UNEP cleanup plan for Ogoniland remains unfulfilled and underfunded, reflecting poor governance and deep-seated political apathy. Farming and fishing, which support 70% of local jobs, are collapsing. Exposure to polluted water and air has led to respiratory diseases, cancer and also a 10-year drop in life expectancy in affected areas. The consequences of decades of oil exploitation have triggered the rise of militancy and insurgency in the Niger Delta. To break the cycle, Nigeria must enforce environmental laws, fund cleanup efforts, support affected communities, and shift toward renewable energy. Only a systemic overhaul can restore the Niger Delta and ensure long-term environmental and social justice. Introduction Did you know that 90% of Nigeria’s export earnings come from crude oil? And the majority of its exploration sites are situated in coastal areas specifically in the Niger Delta region. For decades, oil exploration activities have fueled the nation’s economy without a comprehensive sustainability framework for safeguarding the environment, communities, and local economy. Despite the major earnings, oil exploration in Nigeria’s Niger Delta has not met the expectations for sustainable development due to harmful impact from oil spills, gas flaring, and land degradation. Decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and untreated effluent discharges from facilities have degraded ecosystems in the coastal regions. As sea levels rise and floods threaten coastal communities, the United Nations warns that over a million people in this region face heightened risks of waterborne diseases and displacement. Immediate measures need to be taken to address the situation to protect Nigeria’s economic interests while limiting environmental vulnerability. The question now is, “How did Africa’s largest oil-producing region become a sacrifice zone?” This is not just an environmental crisis, it is a story of exclusivity. Let us dive in. The Legacy of Nigeria’s Oil Exploitation Oil was first discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956 by Shell-BP in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. Multinational corporations like Chevron and ExxonMobil also tapped into this oil gold rush, exploring billions of barrels of oil, generating immense wealth for Nigeria, yet leaving its coastal regions in ruin as they gained little or none of the wealth, only pipelines, spills, and flames. In the Niger Delta region oil spillage usually occurs almost daily, with an estimated 240,000 barrels spilled yearly (compared to 4,000 barrels in the U.S. Gulf Coast). This results from the release of crude oil products into the environment through their extraction, refining, transportation, storage of petroleum, and illegal bunkering. (1) In 2024, NOSDRA reported that 29,498.449 barrels of oil (4,659,174.923 liters) were spilled into inland waters, on land, swamps, shorelines, and open seas. (3) See image below. A 2011 UNEP report exposed the devastation in Ogoniland: poisoned water, dead ecosystems, and a $1 billion cleanup plan that is still incomplete today. UNEP reported that cleaning up Ogoniland alone could take 30 years. Decades of oil exploration have left coastal communities grappling with severe environmental, economic, and social consequences. While oil wealth has enriched a few, the people living in these regions suffer from pollution, health hazards, and economic neglect. (7) Environmental DegradationThe effect of oil exploration has always been a never-ending crisis in Nigeria. As of 2022, Nigeria accounts for 9% of global gas flaring, wasting resources and polluting the air (4). Gas flaring emits harmful pollutants like CO₂, methane, and benzene, known to cause cancer and respiratory diseases. Additionally, it releases sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which react with rainwater to form acid rain. This acid rain devastates crops, corrodes buildings, and disrupts aquatic ecosystems, posing severe risks to both human health and the environment. Similarly as oil spillage affects our ecosystem, report highlights the severe destruction of the Niger In addition, Oil exploration demands extensive land clearance for drilling sites, pipelines, and access roads, resulting in severe ecological damage. Forests are destroyed, diminishing their ability to absorb CO₂ and accelerating climate change. Wildlife habitats are fragmented or erased, pushing endangered species closer to extinction and disrupting fragile ecosystems. Delta mangroves—the largest mangrove ecosystem in Africa—which have suffered extensive degradation; likewise fish populations have declined by over 60%, crippling local economies. Once oil and marine tar residues are deposited on or around the mangroves, they stick to the plant surfaces, adsorbing to oleophilic surfaces of both flora and fauna. The oil coats the breathing surfaces of roots, stems, and seedlings, contaminating surrounding sediments and their sessile intertidal or burrowing fauna. (5) Economic and Health ImpactsLivelihoods have been destroyed as fishing & farming contribute to 70% of local jobs, now collapsing due to pollution(15). A 2020 World Bank study found that oil spills reduce agricultural yields by 30-60%. According to Campbell (2010), the oil pollution in Olobiri and Ijaw lands has eroded soil nutrients, thus sharply reducing agricultural productivity. A study reveals that infants in Nigeria face twice the risk of dying within their first month if their mothers have lived near an oil spill site before conception. (14) In 2017, UNEP scientists discovered an 8 cm layer of refined oil floating on the groundwater serving the Nisisioken Ogale wells. This was reportedly connected to an oil spill six years before 2017. UNEP found benzene (a carcinogen) in drinking water at 900 times the World Health Organization’s acceptable limit (10 micrograms per liter (µg/L)). Many children suffer from lead poisoning, skin diseases, and birth defects. Due to prolonged exposure to environmental pollution from crude oil production, the life expectancy in the Niger Delta is approximately 10 years lower than the national average in Nigeria. (7) Social and Political
Financing Plastic Waste Management
KEY TAKEAWAYS A truly sustainable financing model does not rely solely on budgetary allocations from local authorities but instead harnesses diverse funding sources such as waste recovery and recycling, taxation, plastic credit systems, user charges, and carbon trading mechanisms. Increasing plastic collection efficiency and recovery rates can significantly improve the financial viability of recycling, covering up to 4.64% of plastic waste management costs per 1% increase in recovery. Imposing an additional 1% tax on imported plastic-related materials can generate revenue for waste management while also encouraging local recycling and reuse efforts. In Carbon Credit Trading proper plastic waste management can qualify for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) under the Kyoto Protocol, generating up to 1.2 times the income from traditional recycling efforts. A plastic credit market, linked to a Recyclability Index (RI), can encourage manufacturers to use more recyclable plastics, promoting a self-regulated, circular economy. INTRODUCTION Analysis indicates that between 1.5 and 2.7 billion people lack effective waste collection. The result is that 20 % of total municipal plastic waste is emitted into the unregulated system globally (1). If not managed properly, plastic waste produces negative externalities and contributes to flooding and waterlogging. Effective plastic waste management is essential to cutting emissions and ensuring the economy’s circularity. However, local authorities in low- and middle-income countries often lack the finance necessary to invest in Solid Waste Management. For many municipal authorities in developing countries, solid waste management is a high-cost activity, which may command up to 50% of the total municipal budget (2). Investment in solid waste management is often deprioritized in favor of competing needs such as education and healthcare. However, there is an urgent need to make Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management cost-effective and financially sustainable. A sustainable financing model requires minimal or no budgetary allocations from local authorities. This approach leverages developmental financing derived from various waste management practices, including recovery and recycling, taxation, plastic credit, and user charges. TAXATION In cases where collection costs are high and revenue from recycling is low, taxation can be an alternative financing mechanism. In low-performing cases, revenue from recovered and recycled plastic materials may cover as little as 22% of plastic-related waste management costs. To bridge this gap, governments can introduce an additional 1% tax on imported plastic-related materials. (5) This taxation strategy serves two purposes: Generating additional revenue for plastic waste management. Encouraging local recycling and reuse by making imported plastics more expensive and promoting domestic waste recovery efforts. DEVELOPMENT FINANCING Development financing is a collaborative effort by international institutions and donor agencies to support sustainable initiatives in developing countries. It involves grants, in-kind assistance, and concessional loans from bilateral and multilateral donors, such as the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Despite the critical role of development financing, only 0.41% of all development financing is directed toward solid waste management and only 8% of this funding benefits low-income countries. In 2021, only $1.8 billion was committed to plastic waste management, far below the $30 billion required to mitigate plastic pollution at an acceptable level. To address this financing gap, a multilateral environmental agreement known as the Plastic Treaty is currently under negotiation to increase global commitments toward reducing plastic waste. (6) CARBON CREDIT TRADING The Kyoto Protocol introduced carbon credit trading, allowing developing countries to sell emission reduction credits to developed nations in the international carbon market. Suppose a country can demonstrate a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through proper plastic waste management. In that case, it becomes eligible for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), which can be traded for financial gain. (7) Another mechanism for carbon financing is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Under CDM, a developed country invests in solid waste disposal projects in a developing country and, in return, claims some or all of the emission reductions as part of its environmental commitments. Studies suggest that revenue from carbon credit trading could provide up to 1.2 times the income generated from traditional recycling efforts, making it a valuable tool for enhancing financial sustainability in waste management. REFERENCES [1] E. C. a. C. A. V. Joshua W. Cottom, “A local-to-global emissions inventory of microplastic pollution,” vol. 633, p. 101–108, 2024. [2] M. G. H. W. Guerrero LA, “Solid waste management challenges for cities in developing countries,” Waste Manag, vol. 33, p. 220–232, 2013. [3] D. C. R. L. S. A. V. C. A. &. A. G. Wilson, “Comparative analysis of solid waste management in 20 cities,” Waste Management and Research, vol. 30, no. 3, p. 237–254, 2012. [4] D. B. Obiora B. Ezeudu, “Financing methods for solid waste management: A review of typology, classifications, and circular economy implications,” Sustainable Development, 2024. [5] R. K. R. . N. Bishal Bharadwaj, “Sustainable financing for municipal solid waste management in Nepal,” PLoS ONE, 2020. [6] D. J. Lerpiniere, D. C. Wilson and C. A. Velis, “Official development finance in solid waste management reveals insufficient resources for tackling plastic pollution: A global analysis of two decades of data,” 2025. [7] E. d. R. F. A. R. E.A. McBean, “Improvements in financing for sustainability in solid waste management,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 391-401, 2004. [8] C. L. a. F. M. Xiaoshuai Zhang, “A Smart-Contract-Aided Plastic Credit Scheme,” IEEE SYSTEMS JOURNAL, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1703 – 1713, 2023.