WtERT® Joins the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to Champion Climate Action and Sustainable Waste Management

October 15, 2024 – The Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WtERT®) is honored to announce its official membership in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), an initiative founded in 2012 by former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and renowned economist Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University.

As a global academic network, WtERT® will leverage its expertise within SDSN to promote Waste-to-Energy (WtE) as an essential infrastructure component for climate action. With methane’s warming potential exceeding 84 times that of CO₂ over a 20-year horizon, reducing emissions from landfills is a critical short-term measure to mitigate climate change. By advancing knowledge of sustainable WtE technologies, WtERT® will contribute science-based data to support a circular economy, reducing landfill dependence and driving climate resilience through responsible waste management.

Through this partnership, WtERT® is committed to sharing actionable knowledge and research-driven data with SDSN members and partners, fostering evidence-based policy solutions that support countries in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This collaboration highlights a mutual dedication to circular economy strategies and a sustainable, inclusive future for all.

About the SDSN:
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) works under the auspices of the UN Secretary General to mobilize the world’s universities, think tanks, and national laboratories for action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement; empower societies through free online education; and translate scientific evidence and ideas into solutions and accountability. Established in 2012 by the former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, and world-renowned economist and professor, Jeffrey Sachs, the SDSN operates at the intersection between science, policy, and development practice to promote the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation. Website: unsdsn.org

About WtERT®:
The Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WtERT®) is a leading non-profit research organization dedicated to advancing the best available technologies for recovering materials and energy from residual non-recyclable waste globally. Founded by Columbia University’s Earth Engineering Center, WtERT® serves as a unique consortium that bridges industry and academia, fostering collaboration among engineers, policymakers, and scientists across 30 countries. WtERT® is committed to enhancing the economic viability and environmental performance of waste-to-energy technologies while disseminating valuable research findings to the public. Website: wtert.org