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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation through Anaerobic Digestion of Urban Waste in Malawi: A Review

Hope Baxter Nqcube Chamdimba, Reuben Gad Mugagga, Elias Onyango Ako

Journal of Energy Research and Reviews · pp. 44–57 · Published 6 May 2020

10.9734/jenrr/2020/v4i430136

Abstract

Improper waste management and disposal in major cities of Malawi transpires to be one of the major environmental setbacks as waste remains uncollected and usually disposed in open dump sites. Such waste emits greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming and climate change in addition to pollution of water sources. The effects of climate change to Malawi have been far reaching to the extent of experiencing floods and droughts. This in retrospect has also had lasting impacts on Shire River where more than 95% of the country’s electricity is generated. Consequently, the rate of power generation is greatly hindered which has thus left only 11% of the population with access to electricity partly due to droughts. This paper therefore focusses on the capturing of methane from municipal solid waste as a solution to climate change and energy challenges through the utilization of methane, a combustible gas which is beneficial in regard to cooking, heating and electricity generation. This is amplified with particular review of the challenges, opportunities, policy framework in place and the pertinent role of anaerobic digestion as the game changer in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Malawi.

Anaerobic digestion climate change Malawi methane waste disposal

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