Extended waste management pinch analysis for emission reduction and circular waste systems

Growing global waste volumes and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions present critical challenges for sustainable development and climate mitigation. This study employs the Extended Waste Management Pinch Analysis (E-WAMPA) framework to optimise waste management strategies aimed at reducing emissions, using Abu Dhabi, UAE as a representative case reflecting the region’s rapid development and sustainability ambitions. From 2022 to 2024, total waste in Abu Dhabi declined from 10.3 to 8.6 million tons, with Agriculture & Animal and Municipal streams producing the most net GHG emissions. Modelling shows that diverting 80% of landfill waste to recycling and incineration by 2030 could reduce net GHG emissions by approximately 60% and achieve major landfill diversion. The findings confirm E-WAMPA’s value for identifying optimal treatment pathways and supporting evidence-based policy, providing key quantitative benchmarks for decision-makers in pursuit of a circular, low-carbon economy. Future work will extend this framework through sensitivity analysis, expanded policy scenarios, and integration of transport and upstream supply-chain emissions to enable more comprehensive planning for Abu Dhabi and comparable high-income cities.