Estimation of Methane Gas Emissions from Municipal Landfill Sites: A Comparative Review on the Existing Models

Due to urbanization, increasing population growth, and inadequate landfill management, a massive amount of waste has been disposed of in landfills and generated a tremendous amount of methane from the landfills. Moreover, landfills have already been considered a significant source of methane and are becoming methane sanctuaries, especially in developing nations. Where the world is witnessing the devastating effects of climate change and global warming, producing this massive amount of methane gas is undoubtedly cause for concern in the global community, as methane's global warming potential is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. On the other hand, methane is a very light gas that fluctuates quickly, making it difficult to estimate. Thus, measuring how much methane is generated from landfills is essential to taking the necessary steps and raising awareness. Thus, this book chapter emphasizes the overview of various methane estimation models from landfills and their comparative assessment. Lastly, the overview of these various methane estimation models will assist policymakers in adopting new policies and encourage innovation regarding these issues.