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The open burning of waste takes place worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is a lack of waste management infrastructure. This was a key finding of the Engineering X Global Review on Safer End of Engineered Life which warned that open burning of solid waste is damaging the health of “tens of millions” of people worldwide but a lack of data means that the true scale of the problem is unknown and more research is urgently needed.

Africa regional roadmap

Open burning of Waste in Africa: challenges and opportunities 

Professor Desta Mebratu and Dr Andriannah Mbandi, the High Level Climate consultants authored the report which examines the status of the current situation of open burning of waste in Africa and includes recommendations on how to tackle this issue. 

Dr Andriannah Mbandi and Professor Desta Mebratu have authored a report titled 'Open burning of waste in Africa: challenges and opportunities', with a foreword written by the High Level Climate Champions, Nigel Topping and Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin. The report was officially launched in May 2022.

 

Events

We have raised open burning on the agenda at several global events including UNEA 5.2, COP26 and COP27. 

This side event is supported by Engineering X and the UN High Level Champions Waste Leads, Professor Desta Mebratu and Dr Andriannah Mbandi please see more information about them below. They spoke alongside a brilliant group of partners, CCAC, AUC, UNEP Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat, JICA/Min of Env of Japan, ISWA, Practical Action, ICLEI-Africa, C40 and Slum Dwellers International.   
Engineering X raised open burning of waste at COP26 in an official UN side event. The event is led by our partner the International Solid Waste Association in partnership with the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), WasteAid, Emory University and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).
COP27 Implementation Lab - Waste Management

Open burning Workshops

This programme seeks to raise this critical issue on the global agenda and began by convening a series of multi-disciplinary workshops of diverse stakeholders on 14 and 21 January 2021. These interactive workshops were convened by Dr Mansoor Ali and Dr Terry Tudor, and delivered in partnership with the International Solid Waste Association.

Participants validated the findings of the recently completed Global Review on Safer End of Engineered Life, shared their experiences of open burning and contributed recommendations on future funding programmes. 

Download participant report

Global review of Safer End Of Engineered Life

Launched in January 2021, this major study examines what happens to consumer goods and other engineered products at the end of their useful life.

It found widespread use of unsafe management and disposal practices and calls for urgent action to address the risks posed to human life and health.

Read the global review