A new global study released by the University of California has identified two major Indian landfills as significant sources of methane emissions, with the Jawahar Nagar site in Hyderabad ranking fourth globally. Utilizing high-resolution satellite data, the report highlights the critical environmental impact of these super-polluter waste sites on India’s climate goals. The findings underscore the urgent need for scientific waste management and methane capture across urban dumpsites to mitigate global warming.
Inside the “Super-Polluter” List: Global Rankings
The report, titled Spotlight on the Top 25 Methane Plumes in 2025: Landfills, was published by the STOP Methane Project at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Researchers analyzed nearly 3,000 methane plumes across more than 700 waste sites in 18 countries. The study specifically focused on identifying point sources where methane is released at high concentrations. Out of the 25 most polluting sites globally, two are located in India, placing the country among the top regions needing urgent intervention in waste-sector emissions.
The Impact of Methane: Comparing 5 Tonnes to a Million SUVs
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) approximately 86 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The report reveals that a single landfill emitting 5 tonnes of methane per hour has a climate-warming impact equivalent to the annual emissions of one million SUVs. Unlike carbon dioxide, which persists in the atmosphere for centuries, methane is short-lived but extremely effective at trapping heat. Consequently, reducing methane super-emitters is considered one of the fastest ways to slow the pace of global temperature rise.
Identifying the Culprits: Hyderabad and Mumbai Landfills
The study highlights two specific sites in India that consistently release massive amounts of methane. The Jawahar Nagar Landfill in Hyderabad, Telangana, ranked 4th globally with an estimated emission rate of 5.9 tonnes per hour. This site is currently managed by Ramky Enviro Engineers. Meanwhile, the Kanjurmarg Landfill in Mumbai, Maharashtra, operated by Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd, ranked 12th globally with an emission rate of 4.9 tonnes per hour. These sites are characterized by the decomposition of organic waste under anaerobic conditions, which produces large volumes of landfill gas that is mostly comprised of methane and carbon dioxide.
Policy Response: Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and Legacy Waste Remediation
The findings come at a time when India is scaling up efforts under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), which was launched in 2021 with a target to make Indian cities Garbage Free. A core component of the mission is the remediation of legacy dumpsites through biomining and bioremediation. These processes involve the scientific excavation and treatment of old waste to reclaim land and prevent further environmental damage. Additionally, the government’s GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme promotes the conversion of biodegradable waste into Bio-CNG and biogas, providing a Waste-to-Wealth solution that effectively captures methane before it enters the atmosphere.
The Science of Satellite Monitoring: Carbon Mapper and EMIT
To identify these super-polluter sites, the researchers utilized cutting-edge satellite data processed by Carbon Mapper, a non-profit organization focused on tracking greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis incorporated data from NASA’s EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) instrument, which is currently stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, high-resolution observations from Planet Labs’ Tanager-1 satellite were used to pinpoint methane plumes with high precision. This technology allows for the detection of persistent methane leaks, enabling environmental regulators and site operators to identify and fix the largest sources of emissions that were previously difficult to monitor from the ground.
Key Takeaways
- The University of California study identified the Jawahar Nagar Landfill in Hyderabad as the 4th largest methane emitter globally among waste sites in 2025.
- The Kanjurmarg Landfill in Mumbai was ranked 12th globally on the list of top 25 methane plumes from landfills.
- Methane emissions from the Jawahar Nagar site were estimated at 5.9 tonnes per hour, while the Kanjurmarg site emitted approximately 4.9 tonnes per hour.
- The study utilized satellite data from NASA’s EMIT instrument and Planet Labs’ Tanager-1, processed by the non-profit Carbon Mapper.
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) that is 86 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
- India’s Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, launched in 2021, aims for Garbage Free cities through the remediation of legacy waste via biomining.
