Development of an external project methodology through aerobic operation management in landfills

This study explores the development of a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction methodology using landfill aeration technology in final-covered landfills. Prompted by global initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and Korea’s 2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy, this study focuses on mitigating methane emissions - a major contributor to GHG from anaerobic landfill processes. Aeration technology, which introduces oxygen into closed landfills, promotes aerobic decomposition and reduces methane generation. The research identifies and analyzes similar methodology, CDM methodology AM0083, to derive insights applicable to Korea Emissions Trading Scheme. Key components such as applicability conditions, baseline scenarios, project boundaries, GHG calculation methods, and monitoring approaches are examined. The main results of the study are as follows: First, the amount of GHG reduction can be estimated by applying a First Order Decay (FOD) model based on the amount of waste landfilled by waste composition, consistent with the national GHG inventory methodology. Second, when applying the FOD model, the GHG reduction can be calculated by considering the difference in methane correction factors between anaerobic and aerobic landfills. Finally, project emissions should account for nitrous oxide emissions generated by the application of aerobic landfill technology. These findings will serve as a basis for developing a GHG reduction methodology using landfill aeration technology, and facilitates estimation of reduction potential using real data from actual landfill sites.