Key Highlights of Global Methane Tracker 2024

- Methane emissions from fossil fuels in 2023 nearly touched the highest level ever recorded with a total of approximately 120 million tonnes (Mt).

- Bioenergy, majorly from biomass use, further contributed to 10 Mt of methane emissions, showing no increase since 2019.

- Serious methane emissions events rose by over 50% in 2023 as compared to the previous year, including significant fossil fuel leaks of more than 5 million metric tonnes worldwide.

- Major incident: Over 200 days lasting well blowout in Kazakhstan.

- Almost 70% of these emissions originated from the top 10 emitting countries – U.S. leading for oil and gas operations, followed closely by Russia, and China ranking highest in the coal sector.

The Role and Emission of Methane

- Methane is a simple hydrocarbon (CH4) and the main component of natural gas.

- It has a 20-year global warming potential of 84, making it the second most potent greenhouse gas after CO2.

- Methane, however, has a shorter atmospheric life than CO2, but significantly contributes to global warming, accounting for about 30% of global temperature rise since pre-industrial times.

Major Methane Emission Sources

- Natural sources: Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in both natural and man-made wetlands.

- Agriculture: Flooded rice paddies and livestock excreta.

- Combustion and industrial processes: Fossil fuels, biomass burning, and organic waste decomposition in anaerobic environments during processes such as landfills and wastewater treatments.

Initiatives Against Methane Emissions

- India: Harit Dhara (HD), BS VI Emission Norms, National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

- Global: Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), Global Methane Pledge, Global Methane Initiative (GMI), MethaneSAT.

Global Methane Pledge

- Launched at UNFCCC COP26 in November 2021, it aims at a 30% reduction in global methane emissions from 2020 levels by 2030.

- India, however, refrained from signing the pledge due to its reservations that such initiative would shift focus from controlling CO2 emissions and burdening the agricultural sector, impacting trade, and economic growth.

The International Energy Agency (IEA)

- Founded in 1974 in Paris, the IEA is an intergovernmental organisation focusing on energy security, future energy needs, and environmental impact analyses.

- Their flagship publications include World Energy Outlook Report, World Energy Investment Report, and India Energy Outlook Report.

- India joined the IEA in 2017.

The report throws light on the rising methane emissions, the efforts taken to control them, and emphasises the need to further increase these efforts globally. It also highlights the significance of controlling methane emissions to limit global warming and mitigate climate change.