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Van Calster, Geert --- "Waste management in the EU" [2015] ELECD 198; in Van Calster, Geert; Vandenberghe, Wim; Reins, Leonie (eds), "Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2015) 361

Book Title: Research Handbook on Climate Change Mitigation Law

Editor(s): Van Calster, Geert; Vandenberghe, Wim; Reins, Leonie

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849803809

Section: Chapter 17

Section Title: Waste management in the EU

Author(s): Van Calster, Geert

Number of pages: 13

Abstract/Description:

This chapter reviews the EU’s waste management regime as it applies in the specific context of climate mitigation. I have exercised my academic and practice experience in waste management to select, among the rather extensive amount of European Union waste laws, those with, in my view, the most immediate impact on climate mitigation issues. However, especially given the pervasive nature of climate change in EU environmental law, any selection may, of course, show one or two gaps. It is not only the omnipresent nature of climate change in EU environmental law which explains a role for waste management in the climate debate. Technical parameters, too, suggest a strong link between waste management and climate change mitigation. The regulation of waste landfills is the most obvious example in this regard. In particular, reduction of biodegradable waste from landfill (in favour of fermentation or composting) reduces methane emissions.