Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Base (1992)
Chapter: M Landfill Methane Reduction
Page 808
Appendix M
Landfill Methane Reduction
As shown in Chapter 25, the potential emission reductions for CH4 from landfills are given in column 1 of Table 25.8.1 Under regulatory alternative 2, emissions from existing landfills can be reduced by 60 percent, and new landfills by 65 percent. Multiplying these percentages times the CH4 emissions in Table 25.7 as shown below yields 11.1 Mt of CH4 emission reduction per year.
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Next, this number must be converted to CO2 equivalence. Information from the IPCC shows that each kilogram of CH4 is equivalent to 21 times the global warming potential of CO2 for a 100-yr time horizon. Therefore
11.1 Mt CH4/yr × 21 CO2 eq./CH4 = 233 Mt CO2 eq./yr
and
($22.5/t CH4)(1 CH4/21 CO2) = $1.07/t CO2 eq.
Although these estimates are for 1997, it is assumed that they would be roughly the same for 1990.
Note
1. Tons (t) are metric; 1 Mt = 1 megaton = 1 million tons.
