Climate talks often revolve around reducing emissions of CO, the most dangerous greenhouse gas₂. But other powerful heat-trapping methane emissions will be discussed at a global forum in Geneva this week. Methane, which is potent but relatively short-lived, is a primary target for countries looking to rapidly reduce emissions and slow climate change.

This is particularly due to large amounts of methane gas leaking into the atmosphere from oil and gas projects. Methane emissions from fossil fuel industries have increased for three consecutive years, reaching near-record levels in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

What is methane?

Atmospheric methane (CH4) is found in large quantities in nature and is the main component of gaseous fuel. According to UN climate experts, this is the second biggest factor of climate change; It accounts for approximately 30 percent of global warming relative to pre-industrial levels. Methane only stays in the atmosphere for about 10 years, but it has a much stronger warming effect than CO2.₂. Its thermal effect is 28 times greater than that of CO ₂ Over a period of 100 years (and 80 times in 20 years).

Despite progress in monitoring emissions using satellites, the amount of methane released into the atmosphere remains subject to “significant uncertainty”, according to the IEA. And scientists are pondering the steady increase of methane in the atmosphere; methane concentrations are now two and a half times higher than pre-industrial levels.

Gas leak and cow burp

According to the IEA, the majority of methane emissions (about 60 percent) are related to human activities, with the remainder coming from natural sources, primarily wetlands. Agriculture is the biggest culprit, responsible for nearly a quarter of this pollution. Most of this comes from livestock (cows and sheep release methane during digestion and along with manure) and rice farming, where flooded fields create ideal conditions for methane-producing bacteria.

The energy sector (coal, oil and gas) is the second largest source of anthropogenic methane leaked from pipelines and other energy infrastructures or deliberately released during maintenance procedures.

A study published in the journal Nature In March, it was revealed that oil and gas projects in six major U.S. producing regions were emitting three times more methane than government estimates; This means a loss of $1 billion. Discarded domestic waste decomposes when left to rot in landfills, producing large amounts of methane.

What can be done?

The IEA estimates that rapid reductions in methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector could prevent up to 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming by mid-century. That may sound modest, but such a reduction would have a greater impact than “immediately taking every car and truck in the world off the roads,” the agency said. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol called it “one of the best and most affordable options” to reduce global warming.

This can be achieved by repairing leaky infrastructure and eliminating routine flaring and venting during pipeline maintenance. The IEA said this month that the fossil fuel industry could avoid around 40 percent of methane emissions at no net cost.

“Leakage is very high in many regions where natural gas is produced, but some countries, particularly Norway, have shown that it is possible to produce and supply natural gas with minimal leakage,” said energy program director William Gillett. European Academies of Science. This situation was reported to AFP by the Advisory Council (EASAC).

In the case of agriculture, you can change the diet of animals, for example by adding a compound that will improve their health and the health of the planet. Changes in water management for rice fields are the “most promising” way to reduce emissions, according to a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Is it a binding agreement?

A joint “Global Methane Commitment” between the EU and the US was launched in 2021, aiming to reduce global methane emissions by 30 percent compared to 2020 levels by 2030. Nearly 150 countries have since signed the agreement, but major emitters China, India and Russia have not.

“To slow climate change, it is critical that the most important players who have not signed so far make the commitment,” Gillett said.

The United States and China have announced they will include methane in their climate action plans, and Beijing has unveiled a plan to control its emissions, though not a quantitative target. However, in voluntary initiatives, there are no strict measures to hold companies and countries accountable.