Brief Context
In News The Global Methane Status Report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem. Key Points of the Report Methane Emissions Rising: Despite stronger waste regulations and improved monitoring, global trends remain far short of the target to cut methane by 30% by 2030. Potency and Impact: Methane is around 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year timescale, accounting for approximately one-third of current warming.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
In News
- The Global Methane Status Report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem.
Key Points of the Report
- Methane Emissions Rising: Despite stronger waste regulations and improved monitoring, global trends remain far short of the target to cut methane by 30% by 2030.
- Potency and Impact: Methane is around 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year timescale, accounting for approximately one-third of current warming.
- Methane Emissions: India emitted about 31 million tonnes of methane in 2020, accounting for 9% of global emissions. It contributes 12% of global agricultural methane—the highest share worldwide.
- Agriculture Profile: Livestock (enteric fermentation) is the largest source, followed by rice cultivation, which is projected to increase by 8% in emissions by 2030. Crop residue burning is rising, making India a global hotspot.
About Methane
- It is a short-lived climate pollutant (12-year atmospheric lifetime).
- It is 80–84 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years, and 28–34 times over 100 years.
- Main Sources Globally: Agriculture (40%), energy (35%), and waste (20%).
Initiatives to Curb Methane Pollution
Global Initiatives:
- Global Methane Pledge (GMP), 2021:
- Voluntary international framework to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
- Launched at COP26 by the US, EU, and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
- India has not signed the pledge.
- International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) – UNEP
- Global scientific and monitoring system using satellite and ground data.
- Detects, verifies, and reports methane emissions.
- Focuses on oil & gas operations, coal mines, landfills.
- Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0):
- UN-led framework for companies to measure and reduce methane leaks.
- Covers approximately 70% of global oil and gas operations.
India’s Initiatives:
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
- Promotes climate-resilient and low-emission agriculture.
- Focus on soil health, water efficiency, and crop diversification, indirectly reducing methane.
- Technologies & Practices to Reduce Methane from Rice Agriculture
- System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Reduces flooding and anaerobic decomposition, lowering methane by 30–70%.
- Waste Sector Initiatives:
- Swachh Bharat Mission and Solid Waste Management Rules (2016) improve landfill design, promote biomethanation and composting.
Source: TH