Improved method for accounting for carbon emissions from MSW incineration power plants

Abstract To address the limitations of the IPCC method in carbon accounting for municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration power plants, this study proposes an improved IPCC-based accounting method. The clarified accounting boundary in this method covers all production systems of MSW incineration power plants, and four types of greenhouse gases (CO 2 , CH 4 , N 2 O, SF 6 ) are identified. Targeted calculation models are developed for key processes, including MSW incineration and leachate treatment. By compiling the relevant data of standards, reports, and studies, this document also provides complete, reasonable, and universal data support for the accounting method. A case study was conducted on a 1200 t/d MSW incineration power plant, using operation data in 2020. The results show that the plant’s total carbon emissions reached 149425 t CO 2 e, with a net emission intensity of 195.15 kg CO 2 e/t MSW. Notably, MSW incineration accounted for over 95% of the total emissions, indicating that reducing rubber and plastic components in MSW and improving power generation efficiency are the core paths for carbon reduction. This improved method enhances the accuracy of enterprise-level carbon emission accounting for MSW incineration power plants, providing technical support for carbon reduction practices.