A new tool to help cities quantify greenhouse gas emissions from food waste
Users can enter information on food waste generated, distances traveled, vehicles used for transportation, and treatment or disposal methods to estimate emissions. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
As India grapples with rising food waste and subsequent increases in greenhouse gas emissions, WRI India (World Resources Institute India) has developed a tool that enables cities, businesses and residential communities to estimate emissions generated throughout the food waste management chain and identify opportunities to reduce them.
The India Food Waste GHG Emission Estimation Tool estimates emissions from the collection, transport, processing and disposal of food waste. It also calculates emissions that can be avoided by interventions such as reducing food waste at source and redistributing surplus food for human or animal consumption.
A technical note accompanying the tool points out that India generated about 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2022-23, which is expected to rise to 165 million tonnes by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050. It is estimated that food waste alone must have produced 106.62 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to 202 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂). industry.
According to the report, while India’s solid waste management rules encourage segregation and decentralized processing of wet waste, food waste continues to be treated as part of a broader category of biodegradable waste, without a specific framework for estimating its climate impact or monitoring emissions.
The Excel-based tool has been designed for urban local authorities, bulk waste generators, residents’ welfare associations, retailers and food service providers. Depending on the available data, users can enter information on food waste generated, vehicles used for transportation, distances traveled, and treatment or disposal methods to estimate greenhouse gas emissions.
The tool uses India-specific emission factors for different types of vehicles and fuels to estimate transport-related emissions. Emissions from processing and disposal are calculated using internationally accepted emission factors for processes including composting, biogas production, vermicomposting, landfilling, open dumping and sewage disposal, as India-specific values are not yet available for all processing methods.
The report identifies landfilling as by far the most intensive disposal option, estimating emissions at 6,528 tonnes of CO₂e per tonne of dry matter per year. In contrast, resource reduction and redistribution of edible surplus food are identified as the lowest emission approaches, reinforcing the need to prioritize food waste prevention over disposal.
Developed based on insights from WRI India’s work with urban corporations in Pune and Indore, the tool aims to help local governments integrate food waste into climate action planning, strengthen waste management strategies and promote emissions reporting.
The organization noted that the tool will be updated regularly as more data and emission factors specific to India become available.
Published – 17 Jul 2026 21:22 IST