In response to the mandate of the Special Session of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (Rio de Janeiro, 2024), this Regional Cooperation Programme aims to urgently and significantly reduce methane emissions from the waste sector and advance the progressive closure of dumpsites in the region. This is a regional challenge that requires concerted action: currently, 45% of municipal waste is not adequately managed, and more than 10,000 active dumpsites release uncontrolled methane emissions, posing risks to human health and the environment. Although organic waste accounts for 50% of total waste, less than 3% is recovered. The Programme sets forth a shared vision: By 2040, Latin American and Caribbean countries will have significantly reduced methane emissions from the waste sector, prevented the disposal of organic waste in landfills, and closed dumpsites. To achieve this, the Programme promotes integrated solutions across the entire waste management chain, with a menu of interventions from prevention (upstream), to deviation and valorization (midstream) and the improvement of final disposal infrastructure (downstream). Three priority areas of intervention have been defined: 1) Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement; 2) Enhancing institutional and operational capacities, including MRV systems; 3) Mobilizing finance for waste methane mitigation and dumpsite closure. The Programme fosters cooperation activities focused on knowledge exchange, promotion of good practices, joint initiatives, and shared access to technical assistance and financial resources. It also includes an implementation strategy to support its adoption at national and subnational levels. This document has been prepared within the framework of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, through the Voluntary Coalition of Governments and Relevant Organizations for the Progressive Closure of Dumpsites in Latin America and the Caribbean. The development of the Programme was facilitated by the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office, with the technical support of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
Sustainable construction is accelerating towards measurable decarbonisation as innovation, policy, and supply chain governance begin to align. In London, bio‑based wallboards such as Adaptavate’s Breathaboard—used in Legal & General’s new headquarters—demonstrate how low embodied carbon materials with environmental product declarations (EPDs) are entering large‑scale deployment. This marks a shift from theory to delivery in eco‑friendly construction and underscores the importance of Whole Life Carbon Assessment across sustainable building design.
UK policy now links agriculture and the built environment through a £240 million expansion of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, improving soil health and cutting reliance on high‑carbon fertilisers. These measures support decarbonising the built environment and address the embodied carbon in materials central to net zero Whole Life Carbon targets. As scrutiny of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol exposes inconsistencies in corporate carbon reporting, reliable lifecycle assessment frameworks are becoming critical to verifying low carbon building outcomes and aligning procurement with sustainable material specification.
Growth in renewables, driven by projections of a fourfold expansion in offshore wind capacity by 2035, is reshaping operational emissions and strengthening the foundation for carbon neutral construction and energy‑efficient buildings designed under BREEAM V7 guidelines. This integration of renewable building materials and design principles reflects a more mature phase in the industry’s evolution towards net zero carbon buildings and a functioning Circular Economy in construction.
The sector’s trajectory points towards verified performance, where Whole Life Carbon, Life Cycle Cost, and transparent building lifecycle performance replace aspirations with measurable delivery. The transition from demonstration to large‑scale adaptation defines modern environmental sustainability in construction, confirming that the next decade will test implementation rather than intent across every level of sustainable building practices and green construction worldwide.
Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do
get in touch.
Let's chat!
WLC Assistant
Ask me about sustainability
Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?