GLOBAL
METHANE TRACKER - ENVIRONMENT
News:
Methane emissions from
fossil fuels remain high despite progress, US tops list of emitters: IEA
What's
in the news?
●
According to the International Energy
Agency’s Global Methane Tracker 2024, methane emissions from fuel usage in 2023
were close to reaching their peak level historically, showing a marginal rise
compared to 2022.
Highlights
of Global Methane Tracker 2024:
Methane
Emissions:
●
In 2023, methane emissions from fossil fuels totalled nearly 120 million tonnes
(Mt), with an additional 10 Mt contributed by bioenergy, remaining constant
since 2019.
●
Major methane emissions events surged by
over 50% in 2023 compared to 2022, including more than 5 million metric tons
from significant fossil fuel leaks, notably a well blowout in Kazakhstan
lasting over 200 days.
Top
Emitting Countries:
●
Nearly 70% of methane emissions from
fossil fuels are attributed to the top 10 emitting countries, with the United States leading in oil and gas
emissions, followed closely by Russia, and China leading in coal sector
emissions.
Importance
of Methane Emissions Reduction:
●
Cutting methane emissions from fossil
fuels by 75% by 2030 is crucial for limiting global warming to 1.5 °C,
requiring an estimated USD 170 billion in spending, less than 5% of the
industry’s 2023 income.
●
Approximately 40% of fossil fuel emissions
in 2023 could have been avoided at no net cost.
Go
back to basics:
Methane:
●
Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon composed of one carbon atom
and four hydrogen atoms (CH4), serving as the primary component of natural gas.
●
It ranks as the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG) after carbon dioxide
(CO2), with a 20-year global warming potential (GWP) of 84, contributing
significantly to global warming.
Major
Sources of Methane Emission:
●
Natural sources, agricultural activities,
combustion and industrial processes are significant contributors to methane
emissions, including wetlands, paddy fields, livestock, fossil fuel burning,
biomass burning and industrial activities like landfills and wastewater
treatment.
Initiatives
to Tackle Methane Emissions:
●
Initiatives such as Harit Dhara (HD), BS VI Emission Norms, National Action Plan on Climate
Change (NAPCC) in India and global efforts like Methane Alert and Response
System (MARS), Global Methane Pledge, Global Methane Initiative (GMI), and
MethaneSAT aim to mitigate methane emissions globally.
Global
Methane Pledge:
●
Launched at UNFCCC COP26, the Global
Methane Pledge aims for a 30% reduction
in global methane emissions from 2020 levels by 2030, led by the US and the
EU, with 111 participating countries.
●
India has chosen not to sign the Pledge
citing concerns over the focus shift from CO2 to methane, impact on
agricultural livelihoods, and trade implications due to its significant role in
rice production.