The recent announcement by the US President about the Global Methane Pledge has been making headlines. This initiative, led by the US and EU, aims to reduce methane emissions by a third by the end of this decade. The announcement was made in advance of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, UK, and supports the goals of the Paris climate deal.
Global Methane Pledge: A Joint Endeavor
This US-EU pact sets a bold objective of curtailing global methane emissions by at least 30%, based on 2020 levels, by 2030. If adopted globally, it has the potential to decrease global heating by 0.2C by the 2040s, negating some of the temperature increase predicted by then. Notably, the world now registers a temperature 1.2C higher than in pre-industrial times.
Methane Gas: What It Is and Its Implications
Methane is the most basic hydrocarbon, comprising one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Being flammable, it finds widespread use as a fuel across the globe. Significantly, methane is also a formidable greenhouse gas. Around 40% of methane emissions originate from natural sources, while human-related activities contribute approximately 60%, encompassing livestock farming, rice agriculture, and biomass burning among others.
Methane’s role in global warming cannot be overstated as it exhibits 80-85 times more potency than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming capacity. Furthermore, surging emissions are leading to an increase in tropospheric ozone air pollution, causing over a million premature deaths annually.
India’s Measures to Combat Methane Emissions
Several initiatives have been launched in India to tackle methane emissions. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement called ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD). This can reduce cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and also result in increased milk production.
The India Greenhouse Gas Program
Led by WRI India, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and The Energy and Resources Institute, this industry-driven voluntary framework is designed to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions. It builds comprehensive strategies to reduce emissions and foster more profitable, competitive, and sustainable businesses and organizations.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
Launched in 2008, NAPCC’s mission is to create awareness among public representatives, government agencies, scientists, industries, and communities about the threat of climate change and steps to counter it.
Transition to Bharat Stage-VI Norms
India has moved from Bharat Stage-IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms in an effort to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Global Methane Initiative (GMI)
This international public-private partnership aims to lower barriers to the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source. GMI provides technical assistance to deploy methane-to-energy projects globally, empowering partner countries to initiate methane recovery and use projects. Notably, India is one of these partner countries.
