Municipal Solid Waste Knowledge Platform

Cities are not only on the front lines of climate change but also, leading on taking climate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP). This peer exchange programme was envisioned to further strengthen the learnings of a/multiple mentee city (s) with the support of a mentor city in the very diverse space of waste management within the African Region. A two-way exchange programme was designed whereby mentee cities like Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, had the opportunity to visit eThekwini (Durban) Municipality and learn about their waste management practices, especially landfill management and operations. During the second leg, eThekwini (Durban) Municipality visited Nairobi to provide support to Nairobi for future efforts to close and remediate the largest dumpsite in the city (possibly the world), the Dandora dumpsite. Representatives of Murang’a County were also, invited to join the activities in Nairobi to take advantage of the presence of experts from eThekwini. 

This programme led to successful demonstration of how cities have been exchanging best practices with each other and further disseminating the learnings through city Networks such as C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Through C40’s partnership with Climate and Clean Air Coalition, cities are able to receive technical assistance on reducing SLCPs from waste, as well as foster and strengthen commitments to reduce SLCPs from respective Municipalities. The commitment of the Nairobi to participate in the programme was duly expressed in a signed letter of intent in which the city acknowledged the political willingness to take action going forward after the exchange. 

The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) organized the City Exchange between these cities.