Comparing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Across Municipality Types in Thailand: A Province-Scale Study

Abstract

Thailand is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, ranked 8th by the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) for the period 1999–2018. In response, the National Strategy 2018–2037 outlines pathways for both adaptation and mitigation. The waste management sector is a notable contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for more than 16,000 Gg CO₂-eq, approximately 4–5% of Thailand’s total emissions. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is particularly relevant in developing countries, where emissions vary considerably across municipality types. This study aims to determine GHG emissions from MSW management in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, using questionnaire-based data collected from municipalities. Emissions were calculated for both end-of-life treatment and transportation stages. The results reveal significant differences across municipality types. City municipality generated the highest average emissions (26,531 tonnes CO₂-eq/year), followed by town municipality (4206 tonnes CO₂-eq/year), subdistrict municipality (1837 tonnes CO₂-eq/year), and subdistrict administrative organization (1168 tonnes CO₂-eq/year). While total emissions were greatest in the city municipality, per capita emissions did not scale proportionally, reflecting differences in population density, waste generation, and management practices. This province-scale analysis provides new insights into the role of municipality type in shaping waste-related emissions. The findings underscore the importance of differentiated climate mitigation strategies in the waste sector to develop more sustainable, low-carbon MSW management systems in Thailand and other developing countries.