Non-sewered sanitation and climate change mitigation and adaptation (India)

This research aimed to explore the potential of non-sewered sanitation systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Dhenkanal Municipality, India. Greenhouse gases (GHGs), including methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, are released at various stages of the sanitation chain. According to our estimates, in Dhenkanal Municipality, where onsite sanitation systems with faecal sludge management are prevalent, each individual emits approximately 150 kg of CO2 equivalents per year throughout the sanitation chain. A significant portion of these emissions, around 95%, consists of methane, with the majority originating from containment systems (84%) and faecal sludge treatment plants (14%).

Based on our research findings, the most suitable and sustainable measures to mitigate GHGs emissions in Dhenkanal Municipality involve implementing eco- friendly containment systems like composting pits and biogas digesters instead of conventional pits and septic tanks. Additionally, introducing a methane recovery system, such as a biogas digester, at the Dhenkanal faecal sludge treatment plant is recommended. These mitigation measures have the potential to reduce GHGs emissions in Dhenkanal Municipality as much as 68%.