IGF 2025 Lightning Talk #63 Innovative Solutions to Combat Open Waste Burning

    Institute of Urbanism
    Haider Jalal, Asif Shegri
    Speakers
    Haider Jalal, Asif Shegri, Tayyaba Perviz, Kashif Shegri
    Onsite Moderator
    Asif Shegri
    Rapporteur
    Asif Shegri
    SDGs
    3. Good Health and Well-Being
    11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
    13. Climate Action
    17. Partnerships for the Goals


    Targets: SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Open waste burning contributes significantly to air pollution, which poses severe health risks, including respiratory diseases and other illnesses. The session will address strategies to minimize such practices, thereby improving air quality and public health outcomes. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Proper waste management is a critical component of sustainable urban development. By promoting innovative solutions for responsible waste disposal, the session supports the creation of cleaner, safer, and more sustainable communities. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production The session encourages sustainable waste management practices, reducing environmental harm caused by improper waste disposal methods like open burning. It also promotes awareness of responsible consumption patterns to minimize waste generation. SDG 13: Climate Action Open waste burning releases greenhouse gases and exacerbates climate change. The session will explore actionable strategies to reduce emissions from this practice, contributing to global climate action efforts. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Tackling open waste burning requires collaboration among governments, communities, and private stakeholders. The session aims to foster partnerships and knowledge-sharing to develop scalable solutions for this issue.
    Format
    Onsite: A roundtable or U-shaped seating arrangement will be best suited for this session. This layout encourages open dialogue and interaction among participants, allowing for a more collaborative atmosphere. It enables attendees to easily engage with each other, share their insights, and participate in group discussions on innovative solutions to combat open waste burning.
    Duration (minutes)
    30
    Description
    This workshop aims to address the pressing issue of open waste burning, a significant environmental challenge that contributes to air pollution and health risks. Drawing from insights gained during a comprehensive five-day bootcamp, we will explore innovative strategies and best practices that can effectively mitigate this problem. Participants will engage in interactive discussions focused on practical solutions, including the development of mobile applications that facilitate responsible waste disposal, community-based education initiatives, and incentive programs for proper waste management. We will showcase successful case studies and innovative approaches that have demonstrated concrete impacts in reducing open waste burning. The session will bring together diverse perspectives from stakeholders, including environmental activists, technology developers, community leaders, and policymakers. By fostering an inclusive dialogue, we aim to stimulate critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving among participants.

    Facilitating Interaction: To ensure effective interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we will designate two moderators—one for the onsite audience and another for online participants. This dual moderation will facilitate real-time communication, allowing online attendees to ask questions and contribute to discussions just as onsite participants do. We will use a dedicated chat feature for online participants to submit questions, which the onsite moderator can relay to speakers during Q&A segments. Session Design: The session will be structured to encourage engagement from both audiences. We will start with brief presentations from speakers, followed by interactive breakout discussions that include mixed groups of onsite and online participants. Breakout rooms will be utilized for smaller discussions, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share their insights. Additionally, we will schedule specific times for Q&A sessions where both audiences can participate equally. Complementary Tools/Platforms: To enhance participation and interaction, we plan to use tools such as Slido for live polls and Q&A, allowing all attendees to engage actively. We will also utilize Zoom or a similar platform to facilitate seamless integration of online participants into the session. For collaborative activities, tools like Miro or Mentimeter will be employed, enabling participants to visually contribute ideas and feedback in real time. These tools will help bridge the gap between onsite and online experiences, ensuring an inclusive environment for all attendees.