According to the National Climate and Energy Strategy, Finland has set goals to reduce its emissions by 60% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. The Climate Annual Report published by the Ministry of the Environment indicates that emissions from energy production have significantly decreased, but additional measures are needed. This requires actions particularly from the effort sharing sector, including waste management. Before the 2016 landfill ban on organic waste, large amounts of biodegradable waste were deposited in landfills, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This made landfills and waste management one of the largest sources of emissions in Finland. Although the handling of organic waste changed with the new law, previously deposited waste loads will continue to produce methane for decades. Capturing and refining landfill gas is crucial for utilizing methane, but current expertise is localized and fragmented. Methane can be flared, but this method destroys its potential as an energy source. While landfill gas is used in industry and building heating, it has not been adopted for transportation due to technical costs. The methane present in landfill gas is gradually decreasing, and impurities such as sulfur may render it unusable. Capturing and utilizing landfill gas transforms a waste management challenge into a benefit. The captured methane can be refined into energy, replacing fossil fuels, reducing emissions, and increasing energy efficiency. Utilizing landfill gas reduces the need for fossil fuels and promotes energy efficiency, supporting the green transition and sustainable energy production. The project focuses on addressing the challenges of landfill gas management, finding solutions, and sharing knowledge more broadly. The aim is to ensure that all usable methane is efficiently captured and utilized, significantly contributing to Finland's emission reduction targets. Additionally, the project will develop measurement and control tools for landfill gas capture, implement pilot actions to improve gas production, and create a future roadmap for gas production for waste management companies. The results will be presented at national seminar days, and a foundation will be built for a national landfill gas working group that will continue its activities after the project ends. This working group will facilitate targeted knowledge sharing on the energy utilization of landfill gas. In summary, the project aims to meet Finland´s national climate and energy goals, address the challenges of landfill gas management and promote sustainable practices in the energy utilization of landfill gas. Capturing and utilizing landfill gas reduces dependence on fossil fuels and increases the use of renewable energy, making it an essential part of the green transition and sustainable energy production.
