Cop28 Turns Attention To Potent Methane Emissions

GS Paper III Environment & Ecology

Context:

Climate talks often revolve around reducing the most dangerous greenhouse gas CO2. But other powerful heat-trapping methane emissions are also likely to be discussed in the 28th Edition of the Conference of Parties (COP28 – Dubai Climate Conference).

Strengthen Global Methane Pledge: Scientists at EASAC have called for COP28 to agree on a “substantial strengthening” of the methane pledge, with a formalised reduction target of around 60% in the energy sector, in line with recent EU regulations.

European Academies’ Science Advisory Council:

EASAC brings together the National Academies of Science of the EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom to provide independent science-based advice on important challenges for Europe.

Data Uncertainity: The amount of methane released in the atmosphere remains subject to “significant uncertainty,” despite progress in the monitoring of emissions through the use of satellites.
Methane Concentration: There is a steady increase of methane in the atmosphere, with concentrations currently over two-and-a-half times greater than pre-industrial levels.
A recent International Energy Agency report estimates that rapid cuts in methane emissions linked to the fossil fuel sector could prevent up to 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming by mid-century.

About International Energy Agency (IEA):

The IEA was created in 1974 to help coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil.
Headquarters: Paris, France.
India’s Membership: Although India is not a member country.
- India along with Brazil, South Africa, and China is an associate member of IEA.
The IEA is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing analysis, data, policy recommendations, and real-world solutions to help countries provide secure and sustainable energy for all.

Atmospheric methane (CH4) occurs abundantly in nature as the primary component of natural gas.
It is the second largest contributor to climate change, accounting for around 16% of the warming effect.
Methane remains in the atmosphere for only about 10 years but has a much more powerful warming impact than CO2.
Global Warming Potential: Its warming effect is 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year timescale (80 times over 20 years).

According to IEA, around 60% of methane emissions are linked to human activity, while 40% are from natural sources, mainly wetlands.
Agriculture and Livestock: The biggest source responsible for roughly a quarter of emissions.
- Cow burp: Livestock cows and sheep release methane during digestion and in their manure.
- Rice cultivation: Flooded fields create ideal conditions for methane-emitting bacteria.
Energy sector and Gas leak: Methane leaks from energy infrastructure such as gas pipelines.
Decomposition of Waste: Discarded household waste also releases large quantities of methane when it decomposes if left to rot in landfills.

Global Methane Pledge (GMP):

It is a voluntary framework supporting nations to take action to collectively reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. This could eliminate over 0.2˚C of warming by 2050.
The GMP was launched on the sidelines of COP26 in 2021 by Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) partners United States and the European Commission.
The GMP now has over 150 country participants, representing nearly 50% of global anthropogenic methane emissions.
However China, India, and Russia have not joined.

Oil and GAS Climate Initiative (OGCI):

OGCI is a CEO-led initiative comprised of 12 of the world’s leading energy companies, producing around a third of global oil and gas.
OGCI focuses on leading the industry’s response to climate change and accelerating action towards a net zero future consistent with the Paris Agreement.
To achieve these ambitions, OGCI members are targeting net zero emissions at their own operations and collaborating with partners across the industry and in other sectors to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions urgently.
To support companies outside the group, OGCI focuses on partnering, capacity building and innovations to target key technologies and areas that can impact emissions reductions.
OGCI’s current focus areas include carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), methane emissions reduction, and tackling transport emissions.

Source: The Hindu