Towering landfills like Ghazipur and Deonar have become symbols of India’s urban waste crisis, emitting potent methane and endangering public health. With the 2026 Swachh Bharat target looming, half of the country’s dumpsite waste remains uncleared, putting pressure on already overwhelmed systems. But solutions exist—and to explore scalable strategies, EPIC India partnered with the Global Methane Hub to convene experts on May 2, 2025, for a forum on transforming waste management for a cleaner, low-emission future. The conference was attended by over 40 participants from leading organizations and saw the presence of 14 speakers.
Dr. Leni Chaudhuri, Executive Director of the UChicago Center in Delhi, set the stage by highlighting EPIC India’s commitment to evidence-based solutions for urban challenges. Dr. Debolina Kundu, Director of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), delivered the keynote address. Emphasizing a transformative vision for waste management, she noted, “We need to have a more regional and holistic approach while dealing with the challenge of reimagining waste and a low-emission future.”
Dr. Manjyot Ahluwalia, Regional Lead – Asia at the Global Methane Hub, shared global perspectives on curbing methane emissions and integrating best practices into India’s urban waste systems.
The first panel moderated by EPIC India’s Executive Director Kaushik Deb, addressed systemic challenges in India’s waste management. Dr. K.S. Jayachandran, Special Secretary, Department of Environment, GNCTD, spoke at length about the role of bulk waste generators and the emissions implications of decentralised systems. Elaborating on critical challenges that dot the urban waste crisis, Paramita Datta Dey, Head- Resources and Waste at NIUA spoke about how waste segregation challenges continue to be a formidable barrier, and the absence of accurate GIS-level data only adds to the complexity. The discussions were further enriched by seasoned expert, Suneel Pandey, Director- Circular Economy and Waste Management at TERI, who noted that while satellite technology can help track methane hotspots, ground-level validation is critical. Turning the lens to the humane side of the story, Dr. Shyamala Mani, Health Safety Environment Advisor at Public Health Foundation of India, drew attention to the health crisis faced by waste workers, including reduced life expectancy and early exposure of children to toxic materials. The session underscored that effective waste management requires strong data, inclusive policy, and equitable implementation.
The second panel, moderated by Swarna Dutt, Policy and Research Manager at EPIC India, explored the intersection of innovation, economics, finance, and policy viability in the waste sector. Mou Sengupta, Programme Manager at Center for Science and Environment underscored the urgent need to redesign municipal bylaws. “Municipal bylaws must reflect ground realities. Without that, innovation on paper won’t translate to action,” she emphasized. Addressing the challenges of project implementation, Kiran Avadhanula, Senior Sector Specialist- Sustainable Urban Development at KfW Bank, spoke about the financing and readiness gaps that often hinder waste management initiatives, while highlighting the potential of scaling replicable, evidence-backed solutions. Offering a systems perspective, Kaushik Deb of EPIC India, emphasized that economic models must be grounded in robust incentive structures—particularly for waste workers and collectors—to enhance segregation outcomes and improve overall system efficiency.
The third panel, moderated by Suyash Nandgaonkar, Research Associate at EPIC India, centred on the transformative potential of data and technology in addressing methane emissions. Dr. J.D. (Bram) Maasakkers, Scientist at SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, presented cutting-edge applications of satellite-based monitoring. “We now can track global methane emissions with remarkable precision—from space,” he noted, highlighting the role of advanced technologies in bridging global monitoring gaps. Speaking to the urban context, Paramita Datta Dey from NIUA, reiterated the vital need for granular data between waste generation and transportation, echoing the principle that “what gets measured gets managed.” Adding a global perspective, Tebogo Maleka, Program Manager-WasteMAP initiative at the Global Methane Hub discussed how satellite intelligence is increasingly supporting evidence-based policymaking through methane trend forecasting. Dinesh Yadav, Chief Engineer at the Municipal Corporation of Delhi brought the conversation back to Delhi, highlighting the absence of reliable data on methane emissions from freshly dumped waste and the compounding role of landfill fires in deteriorating urban air quality.
Delivering the closing remarks, Ashirbad Raha, Regional Director – Communications at EPIC India, reflected on how poor waste management remains a silent yet potent driver of climate change. He noted that with the right mix of policy reforms, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships, the waste sector holds the promise of becoming a cornerstone in the fight against climate change. The conference concluded with a strong call to action—reinforcing that advancing waste management is not only an emissions imperative but also a pathway to broader economic, environmental, and social gains.
Watch the full event here.