BAKU, Nov 18 (IPS) – Methane emissions have emerged as a focus of debate as international leaders congregate at COP29 in Baku to sort out the escalating local weather disaster.
In an unique interview with IPS, Roland Kupers, a lead architect on the United Nations Setting Programme’s (UNEP) Worldwide Methane Emissions Observatory, outlined actionable methods to curb methane emissions by 2030, the challenges forward, and the essential function of worldwide cooperation.
The Methane Downside: Sectoral Challenges and Alternatives
“Methane emissions should not a singular problem however somewhat a set of issues spanning 5 key sectors: oil and fuel, coal, waste, rice, and livestock,” Kupers mentioned. He provides that every sector requires tailor-made options.
“UNEP has prioritized the oil and fuel business as a result of its substantial potential for discount.”
“The oil and fuel business might obtain a 75 p.c discount in methane emissions by 2030. It is not solely inexpensive but additionally possible, given the business’s entry to expertise, capital, and experience,” Kupers mentioned, including that the waste sector additionally presents important alternatives, though organizing mitigation measures on this sector poses logistical challenges.
UNEP’s method contains creating detailed packages to deal with emissions in high-impact industries like oil, fuel, and metal.
“Methane emissions account for a 3rd of the local weather footprint of metal manufacturing, but they are often eradicated at a value of lower than 1% of metal’s manufacturing value.”
Information: A Cornerstone for Motion
Kupers additionally underlined the crucial function of correct knowledge in driving methane mitigation efforts.
“Information is important for human company. With out exact, measurement-based knowledge, it is inconceivable to establish and handle the particular sources of emissions successfully.”
In response to him, many present datasets depend on emission elements derived from outdated research. UNEP advocates transitioning to real-time, site-specific measurements to higher goal interventions.
“Whenever you collect correct knowledge, you usually discover emissions in surprising locations, stressing the necessity for exact monitoring.”
Systemic Shifts within the Vitality Sector
To align with the 2030 local weather objectives, Kupers argues for a elementary transformation of the worldwide vitality system.
“Whereas mitigating methane emissions is essential, it isn’t an alternative choice to decarbonization. The last word goal should be to remove fossil fuels completely.”
He additionally highlighted the well being advantages of lowering methane emissions.
“Methane, each instantly and thru incomplete combustion, contributes to important native well being hazards.”
The Monetary Perspective
Whereas local weather discussions usually heart across the monetary challenges of adaptation and mitigation, Kupers believes that addressing methane emissions, notably within the oil and fuel sector, just isn’t a monetary burden.
“The oil and fuel business is very worthwhile and well-resourced. It has no excuse for not addressing its methane emissions,” Kupers mentioned, including that even oil and fuel operations in creating nations function in extremely refined, well-funded environments.
Duties of Developed Nations
The methane problem differs from broader local weather fairness debates, Kupers defined.
“For methane emissions in oil and fuel, the accountability to behave is common. Whether or not in Nigeria, Argentina, or Indonesia, the business operates with the identical excessive requirements and capabilities as in developed nations.”
This universality makes methane mitigation a “local weather excellent news story,” because it bypasses among the fairness challenges seen in broader decarbonization debates.
Boundaries to Progress
Regardless of many years of local weather discussions, important hurdles stay in addressing international warming. He attributes the sluggish progress to an absence of prioritization and consciousness about methane’s function.
“Methane has solely lately gained prominence on the worldwide agenda. The science highlighting its significance has emerged prior to now decade,” Kupers mentioned. Policymakers are sometimes unaware of methane’s substantial local weather footprint or the cost-effective options obtainable.
Key COP-29 Goals
“UNEP has established formidable objectives for methane mitigation. The Oil and Fuel Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), a UNEP-led initiative, presently contains corporations chargeable for 42 p.c of world oil and fuel manufacturing. Kupers urged extra corporations to hitch, with the purpose of attaining 80 p.c participation,” Kupers mentioned.
One other crucial initiative is the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which integrates knowledge from a dozen satellites to establish important emission sources. UNEP then notifies governments and corporations of those emissions.
“Over the previous 12 months, we have despatched 1,200 notifications to governments, however the response fee has been dismal—simply 1 p.c,” Kupers mentioned, a disappointing lack of engagement that factors to the necessity for stronger accountability measures at COP29.
The Stakes: Why Methane Issues
Human-induced methane emissions are chargeable for a 3rd of the present warming. Not like CO2, which is commonly a byproduct of vitality use, methane emissions are largely waste streams. This makes them simpler to deal with and a crucial alternative for local weather motion.
“Methane mitigation is not only an environmental necessity however a low-hanging fruit. It is a solvable drawback, and we should seize this chance,” Kupers mentioned.
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