Climate and Clean Air Coalition

Transformative action in the waste sector

Engineering X, the lead in a consortium; Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, International Solid Waste Association, Practical Action and UN Habitat, were awarded $1.3m USD under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s Transformative Action funding call in April 2024.

Since the publication of the Global Review on Safer End of Engineered Life in January 2021, Engineering X, in partnership, have sought to raise the attention of open burning of waste on the high level agenda; highlighting the catastrophic effects on human health and environment from this dangerous practice are embedded in international frameworks, national and sub national policies to support the implementation of solutions.

This two-year project is a significant milestone, will see the development of three regional roadmaps to increase action and awareness to end open burning in Africa, Asia and Latin America & the Caribbean. Despite the multiple dimensions to this problem (economic, social, and environmental) and serious impacts, awareness about the effect of open burning is poor. National and local governments, development partners, civil societies and development financing institutions need to urgently address this growing problem and ensure waste is properly managed. These roadmaps aim to equip local and national governments and other regional bodies with the knowledge and tools to plan and take action to reduce open burning of waste and toxic emissions. 

Each roadmap has been built on information gathered from reviews of existing evidence and data, field surveys, consultative meetings, and interviews with key stakeholders, with pilot activities being undertaken in at least one city per region. The lessons learned from these city pilots and the ongoing engagement with regional bodies will help to fine tune the roadmaps to improve their feasibility and sustainability at a regional level.

Engineering X is leading the Africa Roadmap, written by Professor Desta Mebratu. It is currently in phase 2 (as below) and is seeking endorsement from the African Ministerial Conference (AMCEN) on the Environment in July 2025, to continue implementation on AMECEN's resolution in 2022 to end open burning of waste in Africa by 2040 and reduce it by 60% by 2030. To ensure the Africa Roadmap is fit for purpose, Engineering X have led a series of consultations with many different stakeholders in the waste management system, including:

• consultation webinar
• visits to recycling facilities and engagements with informal waste workers in Nairobi, Kisumu and Kigali
• and a consultation workshop in Nairobi in April 2025.

Following AMCEN in July 2025, the Africa Roadmap will be finalised and launched, looking towards implementation. If you are interested in collaborating on implementation on the Roadmap, please get in touch with [email protected].