- While the need for rapid responses to methane emissions has never been clearer, there are encouraging examples of nations and companies taking action, demonstrating the effectiveness of data-driven solutions like MARS.
- Beyond addressing major emissions detected from space, there are systems in place for industries to manage their methane footprints.
- According to EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, “Methane emissions are a powerful driver of climate change, and the EU is determined to cut down these emissions by 30% by 2030.
On November 15, 2024, in Baku, a significant revelation came from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) regarding the ongoing struggle to manage methane emissions globally. A high-tech system designed to identify major methane leaks, known as the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), had issued a staggering 1,200 notifications to governments and companies over the past two years.
However, new UNEP data indicated that only 15 of these alerts prompted any form of response, highlighting a concerning gap between awareness and action. Despite the commitments made under the Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030, the report titled An Eye on Methane: Invisible but not unseen emphasised that these methane plume alerts represent a largely untapped opportunity for immediate climate action.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributing to climate change. Its emissions are often linked to equipment failures in industrial operations. The advancement of satellite technology, particularly the European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellites, has greatly enhanced the ability to detect methane emissions on a global scale.
This technology has proven useful in regions like Kenya, where large methane plumes can be identified, providing critical data for local authorities and companies. In Kenya, methane emissions stem from various sectors, including agriculture, livestock production, and oil and gas activities. Although data on methane leaks in Kenya is limited, the country is actively participating in global efforts to monitor and mitigate these emissions, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
In Southern Kenya, a study focused on analysing methane emissions from livestock, specifically through air sampling, aimed to assess the impact of enteric fermentation on atmospheric methane levels.
This research is essential for understanding the isotopic signatures of different methane sources, which can inform localised mitigation strategies. Atmospheric methane is the second-largest driver of anthropogenic global warming after carbon dioxide (CO2) and is over 80 times more powerful than CO2 in the near term. To limit global warming to 1.5°C, global methane emissions must be reduced by 40-45% by 2030.
Alarmingly, the latest science shows that atmospheric concentrations of methane have been rising at record speed over the past five years.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasised the urgency of addressing this issue: “To have any chance of getting global warming under control, methane emissions must come down, and come down fast. We now have a proven system to identify major leaks so they can be quickly stopped – often with simple repairs. We are quite literally talking about screwing bolts tighter in some cases.”
Andersen further urged governments and oil and gas companies to move beyond mere rhetoric: “They must stop paying lip service to this challenge when answers are staring them in the face. Instead, they should recognise the significant opportunity this presents and start responding to alerts by plugging leaks that are spewing climate-warming methane into the atmosphere. The tools are ready, the targets are set – now it is time to act.”
While the need for rapid responses to methane emissions has never been clearer, there are encouraging examples of nations and companies taking action, demonstrating the effectiveness of data-driven solutions like MARS. In 2024, the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) verified actions taken to reduce emissions from major leaks in Azerbaijan and the United States.
In Algeria and Nigeria, MARS notifications prompted direct action from governments and oil and gas companies to address long-standing methane leaks. In Algeria, the annual avoided emissions from addressing these leaks equate to taking 500,000 cars off the road.
Similarly, in Nigeria, a significant leak that emitted methane equivalent to 400,000 cars being driven for a year was fixed in under two weeks by simply replacing faulty equipment.
Beyond addressing major emissions detected from space, there are systems in place for industries to manage their methane footprints. UNEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) has seen an increase in membership, now encompassing 140 companies that account for over 40% of global production.
In 2024, OGMP 2.0 began awarding “Gold Standard reporting” to companies that report their emissions at the highest data quality levels, with 55 companies achieving this status so far.
Ensuring that all companies in the sector transition to OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard emissions reporting is crucial for effectively targeting mitigation efforts and tracking performance against pledges to reduce emissions, such as the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter announced at COP28.
Additionally, IMEO has launched the Eye on Methane data platform to provide open, reliable, and actionable global methane emissions data, driving impactful mitigation actions by governments and companies while ensuring transparency for civil society and media.
New initiatives are also being developed to tackle methane emissions from other sectors.
The Steel Methane Programme aims to address methane emissions from metallurgical coal used in steel production, which represent approximately 30% of steel’s near-term climate footprint. This initiative provides a framework for reducing the climate impact of the steel sector as it transitions to greener alternatives.
According to EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, “Methane emissions are a powerful driver of climate change, and the EU is determined to cut down these emissions by 30% by 2030. Credible data is essential to achieve the goals of the Global Methane Pledge.”
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As countries like Kenya enhance their monitoring systems and improve response mechanisms for detected methane leaks, they will not only contribute to global climate goals but also tackle national environmental challenges.
By strengthening data collection and response efforts, Kenya can play a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and advancing its sustainability objectives.
As Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary for Climate in Germany, stated, “Methane is a very aggressive greenhouse gas. However, it has one advantage: it is much easier to reduce than CO2. We have to use these low-hanging fruits.” The call to action is clear: with the right data and commitment, substantial reductions in methane emissions are achievable, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
