However, there was also an adjustment due to a change in IBGE's (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) population data for Brazil in 2024. As waste emissions vary in direct proportion to population growth, the adjustment of 5% more in the number of Brazilians between 2023 and 2024 also indirectly caused an increase in emissions from the sector.

“In 2024, we had the highest emissions in the historical series for the waste sector. This is due to an increase in the amount of solid waste collected by Brazilian cities, but also to methodological adjustments and changes in data sources that pushed emissions upwards,” says Iris Coluna, technical project advisor at ICLEI South America, responsible for the sector's estimates in SEEG.

“Brazil has taken steps to overcome the challenge of final waste disposal and to meet the goal of closing its open dumps, and today it already sends 70% of its solid waste to sanitary landfills. Now we need to continue advancing in the eradication of inadequate final disposal, promote the recovery of our waste, and advance in the universalization of sewage treatment, while reducing emissions from treatment,” says Iris Coluna.