September, 17-18, 2007
Davis, California, USA

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Complete Best Practice Survey-Deadline September 13!!!

Workshop Proceedings

Introduction

Greener Solid Waste Practices:  Reducing emissions, meeting local energy needs, and stimulating the local economy is a joint initiative of CIFAL Atlanta (International Training Center for Authorities and Civil Society Leaders), UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research), and LMOP (United States Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Program.)

This workshop provides a forum for government officials to share best practices for reducing a their environmental footprint, explore successful public-private partnerships, and stimulating economic growth through landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) projects. 

The workshop, which will take place in California in September 2007, builds on the first 2006 event in LaGrange, Georgia (view http://www.cifalatlanta.org/workshops/sustainability/index.html) California has been selected as the host state for the 2007 workshop because it has the greatest number of successful LFGTE projects as well as many untapped landfills with LFGTE project potential.
                        
This event will bring together approximately 100 mayors, city managers and directors of landfills and public works departments with industry experts to explore best practices for implementing landfill gas-to-energy projects to reduce methane emissions, provide a clean, renewable form of energy, and stimulate the local economy. 

Participants will explore financing models to increase return-on-investment and promote cost savings, case studies to build community consensus towards sustainable practices, measurements to assess environmental impact, and an overview of LFG technologies and practices.  Participants will include 90 U.S. delegates, approximately 40 of which will come from California, and 10 international delegates.

This workshop will include case study presentations by key government officials who have successfully implemented landfill gas-to-energy projects, as well as experts from the private sector and other organizations.  The Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from LMOP, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, and UNITAR, all of whom have been instrumental in shaping the agenda to incorporate various perspectives.

 

Background

 Ensuring environmental sustainability by 2015 is the seventh goal of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, as agreed to by 192 countries and by leading development institutions. Local governments are taking an increasing initiative in developing policy to combat climate change, achieve carbon neutrality, and implement sustainable business and growth practices.  Over 300 mayors have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to significantly reduce emission of greenhouse gases by 2012. 

Landfill gas-to-energy projects are recognized as one of the single most profitable near-term steps a government can take towards reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.  Methane, which is over 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, can be converted into electricity or heat to replace traditional, higher-polluting, energy sources.  Energy from landfill gas is a renewable resource that can be sold at a stable lower price to energy sector purchasers.

Objectives

 The goal of this year’s forum Greener Landfills:  Reducing Emissions, Meeting Local Energy Needs, and Stimulating the Local Economy is to assist participating local governments in achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Declaration on environmental sustainability through the implementation of gas-to-energy projects at local landfill sites.  Through the workshop, participants are expected to obtain the following specific benefits:

• Gain the tools to measure the cities’ environmental impact, identifying the largest quantity of emissions and areas where cost-effective improvements can be made
• Examine landfill gas-to-energy technologies and project types;
• Discuss policy issues and regulatory requirements that impact solid waste management, including an overview of solid waste combustion, landfill gas-to-energy projects, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, rand alternative solid waste management practices and technologies;
• Build community consensus favoring sustainable practices within government and business;
• Discuss potential frameworks for mutually beneficial public-private partnerships;
• Formulate an action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 Format

 The forum will build on the methodology and knowledge management tool used by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to foster effective best practice sharing among high level city officials and international experts. 

Following registration, a self assessment survey will be sent to participants to assess the governments or organization’s level of capability in achieving sustainable development and specifically in implementing landfill gas-to-energy projects.  This survey will assist the organizers, as well as the participants, in identifying the areas where each participant wishes to expand their knowledge, as well as their strengths and expertise that could benefit other cities.

Results from the self assessment process will then be used to pair delegates at the workshop for best practice sharing through a series of knowledge management exercises that will encourage thoughtful exchange of ideas and practical guidance in priority areas identified by delegates.  In addition participants will benefit from high-level key-note plenary talks by city officials and industry experts.

Forum participants will be able to use both the formal sessions and the informal time to learn more from each other about how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide a renewable, alternative energy source, implement landfill gas-to-energy projects, and promote economic development.

Outputs

 Outputs from the forum will be disseminated in the following formats:

• White paper (online/CD format) containing forum proceedings, speakers notes, power point presentations, etc
• Website with updates and participant details to facilitate post seminar networking

Participant profile

The focus will be on executive level participants. The approximately 100 participants will be comprised of mayors, landfill and public works directors, and industry experts.  The invited local governments will be owners of landfills interested in exploring opportunities for landfill gas-to-energy projects.