This working group was originally set up with a focus on the underlying microbiology and the quantification of N2O emissions; its remit then broadened to include methane as another major GHG from sanitation systems. The two areas provide an interesting contrast in terms of where emissions arise (primarily in aerobic or anaerobic environments), and of the nature of the challenges. Our understanding of the mechanisms behind methane emissions is relatively advanced, and the key issues are in field measurement, assessment and implementation of solutions; while N2O still requires a stronger fundamental scientific and methodological underpinning.
For the latest event covering both N2O and methane emissions, see the final dissemination webinar of the EMISI project, including a presentation by Prof Barbara Evans of the University of Leeds on projected potential for mitigation and value addition. Last year Prof Evans also led a companion workshop on GHG Emissions from Sanitation Systems on behalf of EBNet’s N2O WG, which included several participants from the EMISI Consortium. For outputs from the workshop see here.
Prof Tom Curtis, who leads the N2O WG and attended both the Leeds Workshop and the EMISI webinar, commented: “We have made some good connections between the EBNet community and the WASH community”.
For N2O WG activities to March 2026, see the updated report. New initiatives will now mainly continue via the Better Water 4 All Network+ led by Prof Bing Guo, with Prof Curtis as a Co-I. Better Water 4 All is one of EBNet’s key successor groups, and members are warmly encouraged to join. Meanwhile we are continuing to promote and publicise new developments in this intellectually exciting and challenging area: watch the N2O WG News tag for more updates.