RUDA achieves Pakistan’s first Methane-to-Carbon credit validation at Mehmood Booti dumpsite

The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has achieved a significant milestone in Pakistan's environmental and climate action efforts

LAHORE: The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has achieved a significant milestone in Pakistan’s environmental and climate action efforts by completing the country’s first validation process for methane capture and carbon credits generated from a solid waste dumpsite.

The initiative focuses on the Mehmood Booti Dump Site in Lahore, which once contained more than 13 million tons of accumulated waste and was considered among the country’s largest and most hazardous dumping grounds. RUDA has transformed the site into an environmental park, turning a major pollution concern into a potential source of environmental and economic benefits.

Through this project, RUDA has become the first public sector organisation in Pakistan to advance towards generating carbon credits and Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) through methane reduction from municipal solid waste.

Tackling Methane Emissions

Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with more than 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Its release from waste disposal sites contributes significantly to climate change and rising global temperatures.

Recognising the environmental risks, RUDA initiated measures to address methane emissions through improved solid waste management and mitigation strategies. The objective is to transform the environmental burden of accumulated waste into a valuable climate asset.

International Experts Complete Validation

The validation process involved two internationally accredited third-party experts, Sergio Rodrigo Santano and Anne-Sophie Benedicte Judith, who conducted a detailed three-day assessment of the Mehmood Booti site.

Their evaluation included physical inspections, geographical boundary identification, site measurements and assessments of the accumulated waste in accordance with greenhouse gas protocols.

The experts also conducted a specialised training session for RUDA’s technical staff on Monitoring, Verification and Reporting (MVR), aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring compliance with international standards.

Ahad Yousaf, Director Climate Change at RUDA, supervised the technical coordination, facilitated field assessments and ensured adherence to the required protocols.

The validation report will now be submitted to the US-based VEERA Registry under Article 6 and Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. The initiative is also aligned with Pakistan’s Climate Change Policy 2021, Climate Change Act 2017, National Adaptation Plan 2023 and National Clean Air Policy 2023.

Following registration, RUDA will be able to pursue international carbon market opportunities through ITMOs, with the expected revenue reinvested in environmental and climate-related projects.

CEO RUDA Highlights Climate Achievement

RUDA Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin described the development as an important contribution to Punjab’s climate vision under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

He appreciated the authority’s Climate Change and Engineering Departments for transforming the dumpsite into an environmental facility and advancing the province’s carbon credit initiatives.

He further stated that RUDA aims to develop Ravi City into Pakistan’s first carbon-neutral riverfront city.

Wider Environmental Initiatives

Beyond Mehmood Booti, RUDA is pursuing several climate-related projects, including flood protection infrastructure, river restoration, biodiversity conservation and large-scale plantation campaigns.

The authority is also planning methane mitigation through a biogas pilot project, with the intention of extending the model to all 91 villages within its jurisdiction. Additional initiatives include wastewater treatment through engineered facilities and nature-based wetlands.

The Mehmood Booti project demonstrates how effective waste management can create environmental and economic opportunities while supporting Pakistan’s international climate commitments.