MARS - Methane Alert Response System - Environment Notes

The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) was launched at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The new project seeks to accelerate the execution of the Global Methane Pledge by openly expanding up global efforts to identify and address significant methane emission sources. MARS will monitor big point pollution sources, primarily in the fossil fuel sector, but will eventually be able to identify emissions from coal, waste, livestock, and rice farms as well. This article explains that the MARS - Methane Alert Response System is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

MARS - Methane Alert Response System

• The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is a satellite-based system that allows governments to identify and handle methane leaks.
• This data-to-action tool is part of a worldwide effort to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• It was established as part of the United Nations Environment Programme's International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) plan to collect policy-relevant statistics for emission reductions.
• This will be the first openly accessible worldwide system that clearly connects methane detection and notification procedures.
• It will discover and pinpoint significant greenhouse emission events using cutting-edge satellite data and will inform worried parties. This information will also be used to assist and monitor the success of mitigation initiatives.
• MARS partners will provide technical or advisory services such as evaluating mitigation possibilities in particular areas.

Methane Alert Response System - Components

• Detect & Attribute: IMEO will collaborate with the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites and existing global mapping satellites to identify very large methane plumes and methane hot spots, as well as conduct additional analysis using other satellites and datasets to allow attribution of the event to a specific source.
• Notify and Engage: IMEO will work directly and through partners to tell pertinent governments and businesses of significant emission events occurring in or near their territories or activities, and this interaction will continue as more information becomes accessible.
• Stakeholders Take Action: It will be up to the informed stakeholders to decide how best to react to the notified pollution and share their actions with MARS to demonstrate initiative. MARS partners will be available to provide support services at this point as needed, such as assistance with evaluating mitigation possibilities and help with mitigation activities.
• Track, Learn, Collaborate, Improve: As mitigation measures progress, IMEO will continue to watch the event site for future releases. When the MARS system is completely functioning, IMEO and partners will make data and analysis accessible to the public 45 to 75 days after detection. IMEO will encourage collaboration across the MARS ecosystem in order to take insights from these reported events that can be used to enhance MARS and methane action in general.

Concerns about Methane

• Methane is a colourless and odourless gas found in abundance in nature as well as as a byproduct of certain human activities.
• Methane is the most basic of the paraffin family of hydrocarbons and one of the most powerful greenhouse gases.
• Methane is the second-most prevalent of the six main greenhouse gases, but its capacity to cause global warming is far greater than that of carbon dioxide.
• Methane is cited for causing at least 25%- 30% of the temperature increase since pre-industrial periods, accounting for about 17% of contemporary world greenhouse gas emissions.
• In comparison to carbon dioxide, it makes for a tiny portion of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
• However, in the 20 years following its release, it is believed to be 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at storing atmospheric heat.

Indian Initiatives to Cut Methane Emission

• Harit Dhara (HD): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has created an anti-methanogenic feed supplement called 'Harit Dhara,' which can reduce methane emissions from livestock by 17-20% while also increasing milk output.
• India Greenhouse Gas Program (IGGP): It is an industry-led voluntary system to monitor and control greenhouse gas pollution that is headed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India (non-profit organisation), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
  • The project develops complete assessment and management strategies to reduce pollution and create more lucrative, competitive, and sustainable companies and groups in India.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): The NAPCC was established in 2008 with the goal of raising consciousness among members of the public, government agencies, academics, business, and communities about the danger presented by climate change and how to combat it.

Conclusion

The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which was introduced at COP27, will scale up worldwide efforts to identify and respond to significant emissions sources, as well as expedite execution of the worldwide Methane Pledge. MARS will track major pollution sources, mainly in the fossil fuel industry, but it will ultimately be able to detect emissions from coal, garbage, cattle, and rice fields as well.

FAQs

MCQs

Question: Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (UPSC 2019)

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
3. Methane in the atmosphere oxidised to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question: Consider the following: (UPSC 2019)

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Methane
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4