Advocacy and Grant Updates

ISWA at COP28

The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) will host a Waste & Resources Pavilion at COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held November 30 – December 12 in Dubai. This is the first time ISWA will be hosting such a pavilion at this event, with the mission “to call upon decisionmakers worldwide to recognize the potential of the Waste and Resource Management sector as a net reducer of GHG emissions towards a low carbon future.”

SWANA is a national member of ISWA and therefore has endorsed the ISWA Declaration “Amplifying the Voice of the Waste and Resource Management Sector at COP 28”, which encourages decision-makers to understand and recognize the role of strategic waste and resource management in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

This includes recognizing the climate return on investment (ROI) of implementing proper waste management worldwide, such as elimination of open dump sites and integrated waste and resource management. The declaration also emphasizes the role of sound waste and resource management in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

EPA Environmental Justice Grants

On November 21, EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights announced approximately $2 billion in grants for environmental and climate justice initiatives. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, the grants are intended to support community-driven initiatives to support climate resilience, clean energy, capacity building, pollution reduction, and more.

The entities eligible to apply for funding include Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and a partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a local government, a Federally-Recognized Tribe, or an institution of higher education. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open, with a deadline to apply by November 21, 2024. Additional details on the NOFO can be found on the EPA website.

The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights will be hosting informational webinars to share information on the NOFO and answer questions. The first webinar will be held December 7 and registration is available here.

EPA Grant Recipients Announced

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced recipients of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants and the Recycling Education and Outreach Grants. A map and tables of grant selectees is available on the EPA website. SWANA congratulates its members that have received grants!

In addition, the EPA announced that it awarded $4.6 million in research grants to quantify and mitigate emissions from municipal solid waste landfills. Funding was awarded to five institutions: University of Delaware, University of Miami, University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado, Boulder, and University of California, Berkeley.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Grants

On November 17th, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced a new application period for the Challenge Fund, part of the Low Carbon Economy Challenge. Up to $170 million will be invested in projects to support low-carbon projects in areas including waste diversion and fuel switching. Applications will be accepted until February 8, 2024. A range of Canadian entities are eligible to apply, including the for-profit, not-for profit, and public sectors. More information including eligibility, assessment criteria, and application instructions are available on the ECCC website.

On November 14th, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced a new program, the Indigenous Leadership Fund, which will provide up to $180 million to support Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects. The call for proposals will be open from October 30, 2023 to March 31, 2027. More information including funding streams, eligibility, and how to request an Expression of Interest form can be found on the ECCC website.