Methane Global Tracker Report - Environment Notes
Methane Global Tracker report is the annual report released by the International Energy Agency. The IEA will release the yearly Methane Global Tracker study in March 2023. Methane is a warming gas, and its emissions are environmentally hazardous. Last year, fossil fuel firms released 120 million metric tonnes of methane into the atmosphere, according to the newest report. India, for its part, has pledged to reduce its GDP's carbon intensity by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. This article explains that the Methane Global Tracker Report is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.
Table of Contents
Methane Global Tracker Report
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes the Methane Global Tracker Report every year.
- Since 1993, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has used this large-scale simulation model to generate detailed sector-by-sector and region-by-region projections for the World Energy Outlook (WEO) scenarios.
- For the first time, the 2022 report provides a comprehensive collection of country-level figures for methane emissions from the energy industry.
- The Tracker is an essential tool in the battle to reduce pollution and the new Global Methane Pledge.
- Methane is responsible for roughly 30% of the increase in global temps since the Industrial Revolution, and reducing methane emissions quickly and sustainably is critical to controlling near-term global warming and improving air quality.
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| Adaptation Gap Report | Global Methane Assessment 2030:Baseline Report |
| Climate and Clean Air Coalition | Global Methane Hub |
| Global Methane Initiative | Global Methane Pledge |
| International Methane Emissions Observatory | MARS - Methane Alert Response System |
| EMIT Mission | Biomethanation |
Methane Global Tracker Report - Key Findings
- The energy industry, which includes oil, natural gas, coal, and biomass, accounts for roughly 40% of anthropogenic methane emissions.
- According to the Report, there is a huge disparity in emissions data, with the real quantity being roughly 70% higher than what national governments have formally recorded.
- In 2022, the worldwide energy industry was responsible for approximately 135 million tonnes of methane emissions.
- The incomplete combustion of bioenergy, primarily from the conventional use of wood, added approximately 10 Mt of emissions.
- During the digging, extraction, and shipping processes, as well as when natural gas is flared or expelled, methane is released into the atmosphere.
- Every year, more than 260 billion cubic metres of natural gas (mostly methane) are lost due to flaring and methane escapes around the world.
- According to the study, the fossil fuel sector could adopt 80% of the available choices to reduce methane emissions at no expense.
- Finally, reducing 75% of natural gas waste could reduce global temperature increase by nearly 0.1 degree Celsius by mid-century, having the same effect as instantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles globally.
Global Methane Pledge
- The Global Methane Pledge was introduced in November 2021, and yearly ministerial-level talks are held to assess progress.
- This promise aims to galvanise international action and increase global support for current methane emission reduction efforts.
- Its goal is to progress technological and legislative work to support participants' domestic activities.
- It has over 100 members, accounting for nearly half of global man made methane emissions and more than two-thirds of global GDP.
- It is on track to meet the Pledge target of averting more than 8 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per year by 2030.
- MARS is an acronym for Methane Alert and Response System. It incorporates statistics on methane leaks. The United Nations Environment Programme initiated it. It's a satellite-based surveillance system.
Steps taken by India to control Methane Emissions
- The Paris Agreement: India is a signatory to the agreement, which seeks to keep global warming to less than 2°C and to continue measures to keep temperature increases to less than 1.5°C.
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Its particular goal is to decrease agricultural emissions by promoting low-emission agricultural technologies and practices, such as the use of organic fertilisers and improved livestock management.
- Renewable energy: The government has also introduced several schemes to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which can help decrease reliance on fossil fuels and related methane emissions.
- National Green Tribunal: It has the authority to hear environmental cases and implement environmental laws, including those governing methane emissions.
- National Clean Energy Fund: The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change established the National Clean Energy Fund to fund study and development of clean energy technologies and initiatives.
Conclusion
To resolve the Methane emission problem, fossil fuel firms must take significant action to reduce methane emissions in accordance with policymakers. Reducing methane pollution is one of the most cost-effective ways to restrict near-term global warming. While these measures are targeted at reducing methane emissions, much more needs to be done, particularly in India, to successfully control and reduce methane emissions.
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| Environment Notes | Miscellaneous Topics in Environment |
| Methanol Economy - Conversion of high Coal Ash Coal to Methanol | List of environmental acts |
| India's Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Institutions and Measures to save the Environment |
FAQs
Question: What is the Methane Global Tracker Report?
Answer:
The International Energy Agency publishes a yearly REPORT called the Methane Global Tracker. According to the most recent estimate, fossil fuel firms released 120 million metric tonnes of methane into the atmosphere last year. This is only a small decrease from the unprecedented mark set in 2019.
Question: What is the National Clean Energy Fund?
Answer:
The National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a fund established in 2010-11 with the carbon tax - clean energy cess - to support public or private sector organisations' research and creative projects in renewable energy technologies up to 40% of total project cost. The Inter-Ministerial Group, which votes on the benefits of such initiatives, can provide assistance in the form of a loan or viability gap financing.
Question: What is the Global Methane Pledge?
Answer:
The Global Methane Pledge was introduced in November 2021 at COP (Conference of Parties) 26 to spur action to decrease methane pollution. The United States and the European Union were at the helm. It includes 111 countries that collectively account for 45% of worldwide human-caused methane pollution. India, which is not a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, is one of the top five methane producers in the world. Agriculture is responsible for the majority of pollution.
MCQs
Question:Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
- The Climate Group is an international non-profit organisation that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
- The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
- EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
- Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
- The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1,2, 4 and 5
(b) 1,3 and 4 only
(c) 2,3 and 5 only
(d) 1,2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b) See the Explanation
- The Climate Group is a non-profit organisation that focuses on climate change with businesses and government officials all over the globe. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Their ambition is to achieve net-zero carbon pollution by 2050, with increased wealth for all.
- The organisation also has programmes that concentrate on sustainable energy and lowering greenhouse gas pollution.
- The Climate Group serves as the Secretariat for the Under 2 Coalition, a global coalition of state and regional governments dedicated to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. Hence statement 5 is incorrect.
- Steve Howard, ex-CEO and co-founder, founded The Climate Group in 2003 and debuted it in 2004.
- According to the Climate Group, it operates independently of any business or government organisations.
- EP100 is a worldwide effort headed by the international non-profit Climate Group that brings together more than 120 energy-smart companies dedicated to measuring and reporting on energy-efficiency improvements. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The Under2 Coalition is the world's biggest network of state and municipal governments dedicated to lowering greenhouse gas pollution in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
- The Climate Group acts as the Secretariat for EP100, which provides a platform for sharing best practices and highlighting the leadership of businesses making headway towards bold, public commitments on energy efficiency.
- According to the IEA, energy efficiency can account for more than 40% of the decrease in energy-related pollution by 2040. The IEA is not a collaborator in the creation of EP100 with The Climate Group. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- Indian companies like Dalmia cement, Godrej and Boyce, JSW cement, Mahindra and Mahindra, Mahindra heavy Engines, Swaraj Engines, and UltraTech Cement are the Members of EP100. Hence statement 4 is correct.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
Question: Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of methane hydrate? (UPSC 2019)
- Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits
- Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
- 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
Answer: (d) See the Explanation
- Large quantities of methane are confined in the sediments beneath the sea bottom and freeze into a type of water ice known as methane hydrate.
- Methane hydrate is a type of "ice" that forms spontaneously in subsurface formations with suitable temperature and pressure circumstances.
- Temperature and pressure levels appropriate for the creation and stability of methane hydrate exist in four earth habitats. They are as follows:
- Layers of sediment and sedimentary rock beneath Arctic permafrost;
- Continental edge sedimentary sediments
- Distant lake and marine sediments
- beneath Antarctic glaciers. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- The methane hydrates on the sea bottom are stable at low temps, but as the ocean and sea floor warm, the hydrates can degrade. The microbes then oxidise the methane gas produced to create the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. (CO2).
- As a result of melting glaciers, global warming may cause the discharge of methane gas from these formations, having a major effect on climate change. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- Methane has a relatively brief atmospheric lifetime; a molecule of methane is oxidised to water and carbon dioxide within a decade or so, primarily through interaction with other trace gases. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- As a result, there is a coordinated effort underway to decrease methane emissions in order to mitigate the greenhouse impact.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
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