The eThekwini Municipality has cemented a spot in the climate and clean air hall of fame after winning an Honorary Climate and Clean Air Award.

The award was conferred on the city for its Durban Landfill Conservancies project by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition in Bonn recently.

The project, which is a successful landfill that reduces emissions of methane, provides safe waste disposal, employs workers from surrounding communities, and produces electricity for the local grid, shows the potential that well managed waste systems have for reducing short-lived climate pollutants.

Making an exceptional contribution

Through the Durban Landfill Conservancies project methane is extracted from the landfill and used to run generators that produce electricity for the local grid reducing its impact on the climate and providing a cleaner energy source.

To date Durban’s landfills have avoided approximately 2.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. It has also benefitted local air quality by reducing emissions of harmful gases.

The improved landfills have also prevented liquid runoff from polluting groundwater, reduced odour, and prevented the breeding of disease carrying animals like flies and rats. Green areas filled with indigenous plants create buffer zones surrounding the landfill and some 700 000 trees have been planted.

Serious about climate change

Mayor Zandile Gumede said this is indeed a proud moment for Durban and eThekwini Municipality.

“Being bestowed this award, shows that Durban is serious about climate change and cares about the impacts it has on the community,” the mayor said.

“By making changes to the way we operate and by reducing our carbon foot print, we are leading by example and building a new resilient city. By employing and empowering nearby communities the city is not only creating employment but developing an army of green warriors that will spread the message at grass roots level. Well done to the team,” she added.