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Landfill methane abatement

Brazil · $10.71USD per tonne

This project avoids the emission of methane (CH₄), a greenhouse gas 28× more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂). Our project partner captures methane from a landfill and prevents its release into the atmosphere by converting it into energy or less harmful gases using electricity generators and high-temperature enclosed flares.

Reducing methane emissions is critical to addressing the climate crisis. Methane is the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide. In the 2010s, methane was responsible for about 0.5°C of warming and caused about 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. In 2020, methane emissions from landfills had a short-term climate impact equivalent to about 4.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over 20 years. Unfortunately, methane emissions are growing faster than any other major greenhouse gas.

Landfills are a major contributor to the global methane problem. When buried organic waste breaks down without oxygen through anaerobic decomposition, bacteria convert the waste into a mix of gases. About half of this gas is methane, which escapes into the atmosphere and contributes to the climate crisis.

Our project partner is reducing the emissions from landfills in Brazil, the fifth-largest methane emitter in the world. Brazil's waste sector is the second-largest emitter of methane, responsible for 15.8% of the emissions in 2020. Experts estimate that without mitigation strategies, methane emissions from the Brazilian waste sector could rise by 25.8% by 2030.

How does it work?

This project addresses methane abatement by installing and operating a landfill gas collection system that utilizes and destroys methane.

The Ecoparque João Pessoa landfill receives about 2,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily from nearby cities. Without the project, the landfill would release about 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) annually. In 2008, the João Pessoa landfill installed gas collection wells, a pipeline network to connect the wells to centrifugal blowers, flaring mechanisms, and gas flow meters. This system allows the facility to extract methane from the landfill and convert it to less harmful gases, while monitoring and measuring the amount of gas flowing through the system. In 2019, four engine electricity generator sets were installed on-site, with a combined capacity of 7.13 MW.

Here’s how the project works:

1. Convert methane into electricity: The four generators combust the methane in a controlled environment, using it as a fuel to drive pistons and turn turbines for electricity production. This electricity feeds into Brazil’s national power grid, displacing fossil fuel energy. As a result, the generators prevent methane release and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by substituting fossil fuels with a lower-emission, renewable energy source derived from waste. These generators provide over 29,000 MWh of electricity a year.

2. Destroy excess methane in a high-temperature enclosed flare: Any excess methane not utilized to generate electricity is destroyed in a high-temperature flare, reaching 850 °C to 1,200 °C. By reacting with oxygen in a combustion process, the methane converts into carbon dioxide (CO₂), water vapor, and other gases. While CO₂ is still a greenhouse gas, methane is about 84× more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period, so converting methane into CO₂ through flaring dramatically reduces its global warming potential.

3. Measure, report, and validate greenhouse gas reductions: To calculate how many tonnes of CO₂e the project avoids, continuous measurements are taken each minute to quantify the amount of methane captured and either flared or used to generate electricity. The calculations consider several factors, such as the global warming potential of methane, the methane oxidation factor (how much would naturally break down in the landfill without the project), and the ratio of renewable to non-renewable energy being fed into Brazil’s grid. It also accounts for energy losses that occur as electricity travels through power lines. An independent third party verifies the accuracy of the data parameters and project operation.

Why this project?

Wren is supporting this project because it tackles one of the most potent and overlooked sources of emissions at a relatively low cost. Methane abatement in the waste sector is one of the fastest ways to slow warming in the near term. Flaring or utilizing methane from landfills could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.39 billion tonnes if implemented correctly. That’s meaningful progress now—not decades from now.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest waste generators, yet there are no widely effective incentives for methane capture at landfills. While the technology to capture and destroy methane is available, it’s not cheap. Installing and deploying equipment that converts methane into renewable electricity has high upfront costs and ongoing expenses. Without a national mandate or economic incentive like carbon credit finance, landfill operators often don’t invest in methane abatement.

Wren subscribers help make this critical infrastructure viable by providing funding through the voluntary carbon market. Carbon credits help cover the cost of the João Pessoa project, capturing methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, worsening the climate crisis.

By funding this project, we’re effectively destroying methane or turning it into electricity. This energy production helps to displace fossil fuels, and the resulting emissions reductions are eligible to meet the 10 Core Carbon Principles. We’re supporting a blueprint that could inspire policy and similar landfill methane abatement systems across the country.

We like that this project contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Progress towards these SDGs is measured annually. The project also provides co-benefits to local communities by reducing air pollutants, such as hydrogen sulfide, reducing landfill odor for nearby neighborhoods, and mitigating fire and explosion risks through controlled waste management.

Project updates

Aug2025

How we’re helping solve Brazil's landfill methane problem

Our newest project partner is preventing 240,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually, operating a landfill gas collection system that captures methane from a landfill in João Pessoa, Brazil....

Aug 2025

Where is the project located?

This project is located in the city of João Pessoa, the capital of Paraíba State, in northeastern Brazil. This region is rapidly growing, placing pressure on waste management systems, especially as the local tourism sector grows.

Who is behind this project?

The João Pessoa Landfill Gas Project is operated by Orizon Valorização de Resíduos S.A., one of Brazil’s largest waste management companies specializing in transforming waste into environmental and economic value. Operating across multiple Brazilian states, Orizon manages sanitary landfills, materials recovery facilities, and landfill gas-to-energy systems.

How is the money spent?

Receipts and documents

We keep a public record of all payment receipts we've received from our project partners. You can browse the receipt ledger here.

Carbon credit finance is essential to the João Pessoa project, since electricity generation revenue is currently insufficient for maintaining operations. Funding from Wren helps ensure the project can earn back its investment in expensive equipment, such as generators, at a sustainable rate.

We help cover the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the landfill gas collection and destruction systems. For example, paying skilled technicians to manage the equipment, or paying for the equipment itself.

In addition, Wren helps pay for continuous monitoring and detailed reporting to verify emissions reductions and issue carbon credits. This includes tracking gas flow minute-by-minute and submitting third-party-verified reports to meet rigorous standards.

Lastly, 10% of carbon credit revenue is sent to Instituto Orizon Social, a nonprofit established by our partner to empower younger generations as catalysts for a more sustainable, circular, and low-carbon society. From hands-on waste management experiences to gamified environmental challenges, the Institute has directly benefited 21,000 people (and indirectly impacted 80,000+) across 76 municipalities in Brazil.

How did we vet this project?

Using the Wren due diligence scorecard, we evaluated the project’s quality against 230+ indicators. Our partner, BeZero, helped provide fundamental insights we used to compare key project data against 200+ other landfill projects utilizing the same methodology. Additionally, we accounted for credible third-party recognition—this project received a BBB Calyx carbon credit rating and was independently assessed against Rubicon Carbon's Integrity Framework.

Verification

This project is listed on the Gold Standard public registry and uses an Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles approved methodology. ISO-accredited third parties verify the project’s calculations and activities, with the most recent completed by Applus Certification in 2024. Emissions calculation files, verification reports, and performance reviews are publicly available.