Policy Analysis on Open Waste Burning in Asia

Open waste burning ( is a persistent and growing environmental and public health issue across Asia, particularly in low and lower-middle-income countries in Asia contribute to 82% of global CO 2 emissions from OWB, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa. This poster presents a comprehensive analysis of OWB using the DPSIR (Driving forces Pressures State Impact Responses) framework, with an emphasis on identifying regional disparities, institutional responses, and intervention gaps. Data visualisations highlight the volume of waste burned across income levels and Asian sub-regions, demonstrating that OWB is most prevalent in residential areas in lower-middle-income countries in South Asia due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and high population. Key drivers include rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and population growth, which increases the pressure on municipal waste systems. The state of OWB is characterised by widespread and often unregulated practices, resulting in significant environmental impacts such as air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and severe health risks from toxic smoke inhalation While several countries have implemented policies across air pollution, waste management, and climate change sectors, enforcement remains inconsistent, and national strategies often lack coordination at the sub national levels IGES interventions focus on improving policy coherence, enhancing monitoring and reporting systems, and promoting community based approaches for sustainable waste management The findings underscore the urgent need for regional collaboration, infrastructure investment, and inclusive governance to address the complex drivers of OWB and mitigate its far reaching consequences.

Open waste burning ( is a persistent and growing environmental and public health issue across Asia, particularly in low and lower-middle-income countries in Asia contribute to 82% of global CO 2 emissions from OWB, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa. This poster presents a comprehensive analysis of OWB using the DPSIR (Driving forces Pressures State Impact Responses) framework, with an emphasis on identifying regional disparities, institutional responses, and intervention gaps. Data visualisations highlight the volume of waste burned across income levels and Asian sub-regions, demonstrating that OWB is most prevalent in residential areas in lower-middle-income countries in South Asia due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and high population. Key drivers include rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and population growth, which increases the pressure on municipal waste systems. The state of OWB is characterised by widespread and often unregulated practices, resulting in significant environmental impacts such as air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and severe health risks from toxic smoke inhalation While several countries have implemented policies across air pollution, waste management, and climate change sectors, enforcement remains inconsistent, and national strategies often lack coordination at the sub national levels IGES interventions focus on improving policy coherence, enhancing monitoring and reporting systems, and promoting community based approaches for sustainable waste management The findings underscore the urgent need for regional collaboration, infrastructure investment, and inclusive governance to address the complex drivers of OWB and mitigate its far reaching consequences.