Biodiversity conservation and waste management alignment

Kate Stubbs | Group Business Development and Marketing Director | Interwaste | mail me |

The 29^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) has just unfolded in Baku, Azerbaijan. This means that since 1992, when 154 countries signed the UNFCCC agreeing to combat harmful human impacts on the climate, we are still grappling with many challenges.

COP28, for example, saw the climate summit agree on a net zero food plan, which would see the world’s food systems revamped to become a carbon sink by 2050. Yet, many believe this declaration will fail given the role of agriculture in driving over 90% of tropical deforestation, which was never covered.

This year, COP29 has been coined the “finance COP”, where a key subject is exploring how to dramatically measure every country’s climate ambitions – and finding the necessary money to pay for them.

However, no matter what these themes examine each year, what is glaring is that the need for change is critical. Almost 32 years later we are once again reminded that our planet and our biodiversity remains under severe threat.

For South Africa, a nation renowned for its rich biodiversity, the stakes are particularly high, and I continue to advocate the importance of integrating waste management into broader climate strategies as a critical first step. Our country’s waste management practices not only impact environmental health but also play a pivotal role in preserving its unique ecosystems.

The South African context

South Africa is celebrated for its diverse flora and fauna, hosting a significant portion of the world’s biodiversity. However, this natural wealth faces threats from various environmental challenges, including inadequate waste and wastewater management. Improper disposal of waste leads to pollution, which adversely affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, thereby threatening biodiversity.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has recognised these challenges and, in response, has developed comprehensive strategies to address them. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) outlines the country’s commitment to conserving biodiversity through sustainable practices, including effective waste management.

Waste management’s biodiversity link

Effective waste and water waste management is crucial for the preservation of biodiversity. Pollutants from waste can degrade habitats, introduce toxins into food chains and disrupt the…