GLOBAL METHANE TRACKER 2024

The International Energy Agency’s ‘Global Methane Tracker 2024’ reports that methane emissions from fuel use in 2023 were nearly the highest ever, showing a slight increase from 2022.

Major Highlights

1. Methane Emissions:

1. In 2023, methane emissions from fossil fuels were close to 120 million tonnes (Mt).
2. Bioenergy (mainly from biomass use) added another 10 Mt of methane emissions which has remained stable since 2019.

2. Rise of Major Methane Emissions Events:

1. Major methane emissions events increased by more than 50% in 2023 compared to 2022.
2. These events included over 5 million metric tons of methane emissions from significant fossil fuel leaks worldwide.
3. One notable incident was a major well blowout in Kazakhstan lasting over 200 days.

3. Top Emitting Countries:

1. Almost 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels originate from the top 10 emitting countries.
2. The United States leads in methane emissions from oil and gas operations, closely followed by Russia.
3. China tops methane emissions from the coal sector.

4. Importance of Reducing Methane Emissions:

1. It's crucial to cut methane emissions from fossil fuels by 75% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.
2. Achieving this goal would need about USD 170 billion in spending, less than 5% of the fossil fuel industry's income in 2023.
3. Around 40% of fossil fuel emissions in 2023 could have been avoided at no net cost.

About Methane

1. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, made up of 1 carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms (CH₄). It's the main part of natural gas, with these characteristics:

1. Odourless, colourless, and tasteless.
2. Lighter than air.
3. Burns with a blue flame when fully burned, producing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) when oxygen is present.

2. Contribution to Global Warming:

1. Methane is the 2^nd most important greenhouse gas (GHG) after carbon dioxide (CO₂).
2. Its 20-year global warming potential (GWP) is 84, meaning it traps 84 times more heat per mass unit than CO₂ over a 20-year period, making it potent.
3. Despite being potent, methane doesn't stay in the atmosphere as long as CO₂, making it a short-lived GHG.
4. It's a big contributor to global warming, causing about 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the preindustrial era.
5. Methane also helps form ground-level ozone.

3. Sources of Methane Emissions

1. Natural Sources:

• Wetlands, whether natural or human-made, emit methane due to organic matter decomposition without oxygen.
• In flooded rice fields, the growth of rice plants releases methane because of the lack of oxygen.
• Livestock excreta undergo fermentation, producing methane.

2. Agricultural Activities:

• Growing paddy fields release methane due to anaerobic conditions in flooded rice paddies.
• Livestock excreta produce methane through fermentation.

3. Combustion and Industrial Processes:

• Burning fossil fuels like oil and natural gas releases methane.
• Biomass burning, such as wood and agricultural residues, also contributes to methane emissions.
• Industrial activities, including landfills and wastewater treatment, generate methane during organic waste decomposition.
• Fertilizer factories and other industries release methane during production and transportation.

4. Efforts to Reduce Methane Emissions:

1. India:

• Harit Dhara (HD)
• BS VI Emission Norms
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

2. Global:

• Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)
• Global Methane Pledge
• Global Methane Initiative (GMI)
• MethaneSAT

About the Global Methane Pledge

1. The Global Methane Pledge started at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 in November 2021 to cut down methane emissions.

1. Led by the US and the EU, it now includes 111 countries responsible for 45% of human-caused methane emissions worldwide.
2. The goal is to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

2. Why Did India Choose Not to Sign?

1. India believes that CO₂ is the main driver of climate change, lasting for 100-1000 years.
2. The Pledge focuses on reducing methane, which only lasts for about 12 years, shifting the burden from reducing CO₂.
3. Methane in India mainly comes from agricultural activities, impacting small and medium farmers who rely on them for their livelihoods, unlike industrial agriculture in developed nations.
4. Signing could affect India's trade and economy, especially as a major rice producer and exporter.
5. India has the world's largest cattle population, but their contribution to global methane is minimal due to their diet.

International Energy Agency (IEA) The IEA is an independent organization established in Paris in 1974. It publishes reports like the World Energy Outlook, World Energy Investment Report, and India Energy Outlook. India joined the IEA in 2017.

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