From 11 to 22 November 2024, world leaders will gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Conference of the Parties (COP)

• It is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 
• All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at the COP, at which they review the implementation of the Convention.
• The Convention sets out the basic legal framework and principles for international climate change cooperation with the aim of stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses (GHGs).

Focus of COP29

• The emphasis is on finance, as developed countries are expected to provide financial assistance and technological support to developing nations in order to help reduce carbon emissions.
• New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): This has been dubbed as NCQG. 
  • In other words, in the upcoming COP29 meet, an important agenda item is to determine a new annual climate finance mobilization target, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). 
  • This target will dictate the amount of climate finance allocated to developing countries.
• Agenda by Azerbaijan: The host country, Azerbaijan, has proposed an action plan that includes commitments to increase battery storage capacity six times, significantly expand electricity networks, and reduce methane emissions from organic waste.

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Methane Emission

• Methane significantly affects the climate, contributing approximately 30 percent to global warming since the pre-industrial period, with its levels in the atmosphere increasing quickly. 
• Notably, over a 100-year period, methane’s global warming potential is 28 times that of carbon dioxide, and it is 84 times more effective over a 20-year period.
• This indicates that reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective strategies to slow down near-term temperature increases, providing valuable time to achieve the longer-term CO2 reductions necessary for stabilizing climate change.

Common Ground Between U.S. and China

• Despite their strained relationship, the United States and China have united to tackle methane emission. 
• COP 28: At COP28 in Dubai (November-December 2023), they partnered with the United Arab Emirates to host a summit focused on methane and other non-CO2 emissions.
• China’s National Plan for Methane Emission: In November 2023, China also unveiled its first national plan to manage methane emissions.
  • Although the plan did not set specific reduction targets and prioritized capacity building, it demonstrated China’s willingness to address methane and collaborate with the U.S. on this issue.

India on Methane Emission

• India is the third-largest emitter of anthropogenic methane after China and the U.S.
• India has a chance to benefit from the U.S.-China methane partnership by securing sector-specific financing, aid for infrastructure and capacity-building assistance.

• Sector-Wise Methane Emission: Agriculture accounted for 74 percent of methane emissions, waste contributed 14 percent, energy was responsible for 11 percent, and industrial processes made up 1 percent.

• Impact of Methane Emission: 
  • The harmful effects of methane extend beyond climate change; for instance, fires at waste dumps can significantly increase air pollution. 
  • In 2022, a two-week fire at Delhi’s Bhalswa dumpsite caused particulate matter levels to rise by 30 percent to 70 percent above normal at nearby air quality monitoring stations.
• Why is India Hesitant to Sign Global Methane Pledge?
  • India’s heavy reliance on agriculture, especially livestock and rice farming, makes it cautious about committing to economy-wide methane reduction targets or signing the Global Methane Pledge(GMP).
  • GMP aims for a 30 percent reduction in emissions from 2020 levels by 2030.

Nonetheless, the U.S.-China emphasis on methane presents an opportunity for India to pursue targeted support for lowering emissions in specific sectors, like waste management.

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India’s Waste Management Programmes

The Indian government has established a robust regulatory framework for waste management, but limited local capacity hinders effective implementation.

• Case Study(Indore): Indore, Madhya Pradesh, combines citywide organic waste sorting with a large biomethane plant that generates fuel for buses.
• GOBARdhan Scheme: The government is promoting the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme, which encourages the use of cattle waste and the production of clean energy in rural areas.
• These efforts are part of the larger Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 program aimed at enhancing solid waste management.
• NMSA: In agriculture, the government is promoting climate-resilient practices through the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which includes methane reduction techniques in rice cultivation that can lead to significant emissions decreases.
• National Livestock Mission(NLM): The NLM also encourages practices like green fodder production, silage making, chaff cutting, and total mixed ration feeding to help reduce methane emissions from livestock.

Conclusion

India has already laid the groundwork with its schemes and initiatives. However, it is time for India to take lead in methane diplomacy and seek concrete assistance for its methane mitigation efforts from U.S.-China methane partnership.

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