Abstract: Nowadays, the production of municipal solid waste (MSW) in China had accounted for 13% of the global production, which would make MSW treatments and disposal the key to achieving “waste-free city”,carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Four main international carbon accounting methods were compared and sorted out, and their practicality and deficiency in carbon emission reduction accounting of MSW in China were analyzed. Proceed to the next step, based on the life cycle method, and on the basis of investigation and analysis of domestic and foreign cases, the carbon emission reduction path of MSW in China, such as optimizing the performance of incineration technology, enhancing utilization of landfill gas, using anaerobic digestion to treat kitchen waste, classification recycling and constructing MSW circular economy industrial park were put forward. The development direction of each path was prospected, aiming to provide theoretical support for the realization of green, low-carbon development in the whole life cycle of the MSW treatment industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Key words: municipal solid waste, greenhouse gas, carbon emission reduction, whole life cycle evaluation