DATA Point: 13 Oct 2023

Methane Emissions

Context:

• The International Energy Agency, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition jointly released the report named ‘’The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels- An Assessment of the Benefits for the Climate and Health.’’

Highlights of reports:

• Methane Emission Scenario: According to the report, methane is a potent greenhouse gas and is estimated to have been responsible for 30 percent of global warming since the Industrial Revolution. Although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time than carbon dioxide.
  • Around 580 million tonnes (Mt) of methane is emitted annually globally, 60 percent of which comes from human activities, according to the latest assessment cited in the report.
  •  In 2022, fossil fuel operations alone were responsible for around 120 Mt of methane emissions.
  • Under current trajectories, total anthropogenic methane emissions could rise by up to 13 percent between 2020 and 2030.

Benefits of Methane Emissions:

• Achieving methane reduction targets will prevent 95 million tonnes of crop losses for wheat, rice, soy and maize (corn). These savings are equivalent to roughly 60 percent of the wheat, rice, soy and maize produced in Africa in 2021.
• Avoiding such losses of crops, labour and forestry will provide direct economic benefits valued at more than $260 billion between 2020 and 2050.

Source: DTE