The Potential of Municipal Solid Waste as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

This paper assesses the potential of the CDM mechanism in the municipal solid waste disposal sector in Kano metropolis, Nigeria, where population growth of about 3%per annum and unprecedented urbanization of 40% per anum has resulted in high waste generation. The waste typical of developing countries consist mainly of organic matter and poor management due to a number of factors has meant less than 30% of the waste is actually managed and the waste that is managed is also deposited in unsanitary landfill to decompose and produce methane. Methane capture from landfills in Kano metropolis can be a good CMD project which now accounts for about 22% of CDM projects in countries like India, Brazil and Indonesia. Its popularity is due to its benefits of improved sanitation, renewable energy generation and the fact that methane has a global warming potential 21 times that of CO2. Data for this study was collected through fieldwork, questionnaire surveys and informal interviews conducted with senior officials of the agency responsible for waste management on the existing solid wastes management practices, and status of landfill management. Secondary data were collected through reviews of the Kyoto protocols, relevant documents on UNFCC and Nigeria’s communication to UNFCC.