The President-Designate of the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP28), Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, recently urged the oil and gas industry to eliminate methane emissions by 2030. Methane has become a major issue in the battle against climate change, with the aim of achieving comprehensive net-zero emission plans by or no later than 2050.
The importance of including developing nations in climate action, energy transitions, and the adoption of technologies for climate mitigation was also strongly underlined. COP28 is set to take place between November 30 and December 12 in the UAE.
Understanding Methane
Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, comprising one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). It has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over its first 20 years in the atmosphere, although it has a shorter lifespan. Methane is predominantly sourced from oil and natural gas systems, agricultural activities, coal mining, and waste.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that fossil fuel operations create over one-third of all human-produced methane emissions. This gas is around 80-85 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its global warming capacity, making it a critical target for reducing warming more quickly, while also working to reduce other greenhouse gases.
Hydrocarbons’ Role in Energy Transition
Hydrocarbons can serve as a bridge fuel during the shift to new energy systems by providing a reliable and readily available source of energy. They help maintain energy system stability during the initial phases of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources. The infrastructure for extracting, processing, and distributing hydrocarbons already exists, which makes transitioning to new energy systems smoother.
Including Developing Nations in the Energy Transition
Developing nations can be included in the energy transition by increasing financial support. This allows these countries to transition to clean energy sources and technologies. There should also be a focus on capacity building, investing in training programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Developed countries can also assist developing nations in developing and implementing supportive policies and regulations that encourage the adoption of renewable energy and energy-efficient practices.
Climate Technologies’ Role in Climate Mitigation
Climate technologies include a wide range of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. These technologies lead to the generation of clean and sustainable energy, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions. Energy efficiency technologies enhance energy efficiency in various sectors like buildings, transportation, and industries. These technologies aim to reduce energy consumption and minimize wastage, thereby leading to significant reductions in emissions.
Initiatives to Address Methane Emissions
Some of the initiatives taken to tackle methane emissions include the ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD) developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which can reduce cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and results in higher milk production. Additionally, the India Greenhouse Gas Program is an industry-led voluntary framework to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions across India.
Globally, the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) integrates data from a large number of existing and future satellites that have the capacity to detect methane emission events anywhere in the world. At the Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP 26) in 2021, nearly 100 countries came together in a voluntary pledge, referred to as the Global Methane Pledge, to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) is an international public-private partnership focused on reducing barriers to the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source.