Issue Paper

Understanding and Abating Nitrous Oxide and Methane Emissions from Wastewater

Reducing these climate super pollutants from the global wastewater sector is crucial for addressing climate change.

Caroline Kim
Technical Analyst, Climate & Energy

Nitrous oxide and methane are extremely potent greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contribute significantly to climate change. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the global wastewater sector alone accounted for 6 percent of total global non-CO2 GHG emissions in 2025. Both methane and nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater are expected to increase in the coming decades, due to increasing urbanization and population growth. Reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater will play an important role in curbing climate change. 

Actions can be taken today to abate emissions, such as building more wastewater treatment plants, monitoring nitrous oxide and methane at wastewater treatment plants, and supporting the deployment of new abatement technologies.  

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