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).

COP28 Global Methane Pledge 

• 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.

• 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.

What is methane?

• 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).

What are the major sources of methane emissions?

• 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.

Source: The Hindu