The United Nations has recently made a decision to establish a satellite-based monitoring system titled the “Methane Alert and Response System” (MARS) with the aim of tracking methane emissions and alerting governments and corporations to take action against it. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the efforts to decrease methane emissions worldwide.
Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)
MARS was introduced at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. It is a data-to-action platform that falls under the UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory strategy, aimed at dispersing policy-relevant data to the right sectors for emission mitigation.
The system is lined up to be the first publicly accessible global system to link methane detection with transparent notification procedures. One of its primary objectives is to amalgamate data from a host of existing and future satellites that have the capability to detect methane emission events anywhere in the world and send out alerts for relevant stakeholders to act upon. With time, MARS will also be capable of tracking emissions from coal, waste, livestock, and rice fields.
Why is Cutting Methane Emissions Necessary?
Methane, a colourless and odourless gas, is abundantly found in nature and as a byproduct of certain human activities. Despite accounting for a small portion of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to carbon dioxide, it is considered 80 times more efficient at trapping atmospheric heat within the first 20 years following its release.
Methane stands as the second-most common of the six major greenhouse gases but possesses far greater potential to cause global warming than carbon dioxide. At least 25-30% of temperature rise since pre-industrial times is attributed to methane, marking the significance of cutting its emissions.
Initiatives to Cut Methane Emissions
Global Initiatives
At the UNFCCC COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, approximately 100 countries came together in a voluntary pledge, known as the Global Methane Pledge, to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from the 2020 levels. The number of participating countries has since increased to nearly 130. A 30% reduction in methane emissions by the year 2030 is projected to prevent a 0.2-degree rise in temperature by 2050, which is crucial to keeping the temperature increase under the 1.5-degree Celsius target.
The Global Methane Initiative (GMI), an international public-private partnership aimed at removing barriers to methane recovery and usage as a clean energy source, has also taken steps towards deploying methane-to-energy projects worldwide. India is a partner to this initiative.
National Initiatives
On a national level, initiatives such as the ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD) developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research can help decrease cattle methane emissions by 17-20%, while also promoting higher milk production.
The India Greenhouse Gas Program led by WRI India, Confederation of Indian Industry, and The Energy and Resources Institute is offering an industry-led voluntary structure for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. This program aims to build comprehensive strategies for reducing emissions and driving more profitable, competitive and sustainable businesses in India.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, sets out to raise awareness among the public about the threat posed by climate change and the necessary actions required to counter it.
Understanding Methane Hydrate Deposits
Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid composed of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules. Suitable temperature and pressure conditions are crucial for the formation and stability of methane hydrate in subsurface sediments, such as sedimentary rock units below the Arctic permafrost and deep-water sediments of inland lakes and seas. An increase in global warming can result in the dissociation of these sensitive methane hydrates, leading to the release of methane and water.
Effects of Biomass Burning
Biomass burning, including crop residue and forest fires, is a major source of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane. The resultant emissions also include volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. Therefore, efforts in reducing methane emissions must also factor in the impact of biomass burning.
Despite the challenges, numerous global and national initiatives are spearheading efforts to cut methane emissions and mitigate its destructive impact on the global climate. From satellite-based monitoring systems like MARS to public-private partnerships like GMI, these concerted efforts reflect a growing global consciousness towards environmental conservation.
Last Modified: February 18, 2024