IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, and IIT (BHU) Varanasi have developed an India-specific Life Cycle Assessment framework and a web-based GHG calculator for municipal solid waste management. The tool lets Urban Local Bodies compare scenarios like composting, anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy, and landfilling, and it tracks methane, CO2, nitrogen oxides, and black carbon. The project was supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and tested in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chennai, Delhi, and Varanasi. Cities can use the framework to evaluate tenders, prepare DPRs, and plan lower-emission waste systems. The team also proposed a national roadmap toward climate-resilient waste management. This is a practical step for aligning municipal operations with carbon reduction goals.
