METHANE is in the news currently after 120 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge during COP 26, last year to reduce methane emissions.
However, most countries are still gaining an understanding of the dynamics of methane mitigation as they have little scientific knowledge, technology, and data measurement to develop a comprehensive methane mitigation framework.
On the global climate front, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are the countries ahead in slashing methane.
“As reducing methane emission became a collective effort after the Global Methane Pledge, the United States (US) government provides technical and financial support for countries that are part of the Climate Clean Air Coalition (CACC).”
“It is a global effort launched by UNEP to catalyse efforts taken to reduce short-lived climate pollutants and we are encouraging more countries to join the coalition”, said Katherine Jerigan, of the US Embassy in Malaysia, during a panel discussion titled, “Methane Reduction on The Road to Decarbonisation”.
The panel discussion was hosted by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (CETDEM) at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2022) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, recently.
Petronas’s journey in reducing its carbon footprint goes as far back as 2010 when the petro-giant began work on Green House Gas (GHG) emissions generally.
To affirm its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, the company launched Petronas Carbon Commitments in 2012 and methane became its focus of attention in 2019.
“We are currently engaging with technology providers to expedite the reduction of methane emissions. For instance, Petronas is looking into facilities that can eliminate intentional venting and flaring “, said Hassaruddin Hashim from Petronas.
“There are still gaps that need to be addressed in methane reduction strategies. Petronas is constantly seeking meaningful collaborations with various stakeholders such as embassies, and EDF to know the available technology and lesson learned from the best practices.
“The detection and quantification of methane need to be studied and understood better. Malaysia has more offshore facilities which have a different set of challenges such as ocean reflection, the rough climate of the sea compared to onshore and they need to identify the accurate technology to measure methane emissions”, added Hasnor.
Matt Watson from EDF gave a brief overview of EDF’s work being a science-based organisation that is striving to reduce methane emissions for more than a decade, even during times when people hardly speak on climate change.
EDF launched a series of methane studies in the US from 2012 to 2018 in 40 to 50 different universities, research institutes, and industries to gather data on methane emissions and to obtain a better understanding of the emissions that occurs across the value chain.
The data showed methane emissions were 60% higher than was being reported by the industries under the reporting protocol established by EPA.
“Emissions measurement is very crucial for a comprehensive, cost-effective, and long-term strategy”, stressed Watson.
Watson pointed out three major elements of a methane mitigation strategy which are target setting, implementation and monitoring, and transparency in reporting emissions.
Following the US, Canada is becoming the mover in mitigating methane emissions as it launched its Methane Strategy Plan last September.
Ryan Baerg from the Canadian High Commission to Malaysia said that the plan highly focuses on the scientific area to track data and measurement. The two approaches that are generally used for emission quantification are bottom-up which is developed from scientific studies and top-down which uses atmospheric measurements of GHGs at a given time.
“Canada foresees methane as a marketable product. Beyond methane being a climate pollutant, it is also a valuable commodity that can be leveraged in today’s energy market. The methane technology sector is poised to grow rapidly over the next few years as it is followed by innovations and new job opportunities. There are companies currently working on technologies in improving methane emissions, reducing oil and gas leaks,” said Baerg.
Watson also explained the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) which is a voluntary programme for companies to commit to an ambitious methane reduction target. It is the new gold standard reporting framework that improves the accuracy and transparency of methane emission reporting from the oil and gas sector.
Speaking on OGMP 2.0, Hasnor echoed that Petronas has developed internal standards that are aligned with the framework.
All four panelists believe that mitigating methane is a collective action across the globe and data transparency will help other countries to plan their strategies to achieve the common goal of slashing methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030.
