Frankly for waste management and climate change

On 16 February, 2016 at the University of Daugavpils in Daugavpils city and on 17 February, 2016 at the Rezekne Academy of Technologies in Rezekne city, a lectures-discussion “The climate change caused by such anthropogenic processes as waste and wastewater management” will be hold.

Objective of the event – to inform the public and enhance their awareness and knowledge on climate change impact caused by anthropogenic processes – waste and waste water management, and opportunities to reduce GHG emissions.

In cooperation with the NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research – and using its long-term and wide experience in climate change and pollution assessment, a module of professional educational programme is developed during the project  “The promotion of the knowledge and insight of the climate change caused by such anthropogenic processes as waste and wastewater management” (2/EEZLV02/14/GS/046/008) by NGO Waste Management Association of Latvia, and financed by European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism.

The experience and knowledge gathered by experts in the professional educational programme will be a complement to the existing waste management and water management study programmes of universities in Latvia. In order to better acquaint the audience with the discussed topics, the authors will perform open lectures in the six of them: University of Daugavpils, Rezekne Technology Academy, University of Liepaja, Ventspils University College, Latvian University and Latvia University of Agriculture.

The main topics of waste management will be discussed in the lectures:

• Influencing factors of climate and weather.
• GHG emissions reduction framework.
• Waste transportation, logistic and realization in the city.
• Influence of waste treatment and disposal processes to the GHG emission.
• Waste management: biotechnologies as production source of GHG emissions.
• Life Cycle Assessment and modelling as decision-making supporting tool in waste management.
• Environmental pollution and remediation.

Rūta Bendere Ph.D, Chairman of the Board of the NGO Waste Management Association of Latvia (WMAL) is pleased: “Thanks to the project, we have become richer with the one more professional education book on waste management in the local language, which so lacking to our professionals. How to reduce the climate impact from the waste management technological processes and understand the global and the European Union Member States agreements and commitments, it is important for everyone here in place and time – the waste management decision-makers, developers and every waste producer, how to understand and fulfil the waste management legislation requirements, in order to develop a low-carbon waste management economy.”

Kyrre Sundseth, Ph.D. from NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research draws attention to: “At present, climate change is the major environmental challenge. The impacts of climate change on environment and human health that we observe today, fully justify our concerns about the effects of climate change on the global environment and human wellbeing in the future. Many adaptation and mitigation options can help address climate change, but no single option is sufficient by itself. Effective implementation depends on policies and cooperation at all scales and can be enhanced through integrated responses that link adaptation and mitigation with other societal objectives”.

WMAL is a professional, voluntary, non-governmental organization, an independent and non–profit making association working in public interests and promoting professional waste management. The main objective is to facilitate improvement of the environmental condition and comprehensive quality waste management.

WMAL was founded in August 1994. WMAL has a total of 60 members – 30 legal persons and 30 individuals.

The Project “The promotion of the knowledge and insight of the climate change caused by such anthropogenic processes as waste and wastewater management” (ID number: 2/EEZLV02/14/GS/046/008) is financed by EEA Financial Mechanism. More information: www.eeagrants.org