On November 11, 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) introduced the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) initiative at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Is it accurate to suggest that India wasted their chance to join the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership?
Methane: A toxic greenhouse gas
- A major greenhouse gas: Methane is the second-most prevalent of the six major greenhouse gases, but it has a much higher potential for warming the planet than carbon dioxide.
- One of the biggest GHG emission contributors: Contribution accounts for around 17% of the current world GHG emissions.
- One of the main causes of temperature rise is methane, which is attributed to at least 25 to 30 percent of the increase in global temperatures since the beginning of the modern age.
- Methane is predominantly a sectoral gas, in contrast to carbon dioxide, and its sources of emission are very few.
- Several sources with significant methane emissions: Methane has an about 80-fold greater potential to cause global warming than carbon dioxide. Compared to carbon dioxide, it only makes up a minor part of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
What is Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP)?
- A process for assisting businesses in lowering methane emissions: The Climate and Clean Air Coalition developed the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) methodology in 2014 as a voluntary project to assist businesses in lowering methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.
- The Climate and Clean Air Coalition and UNEP created the multi-stakeholder Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), also known as OGMP 2.0. The OGMP 2.0 is the only comprehensive reporting framework for the oil and gas industry that is measurement-based and increases the accuracy and openness of methane emissions reporting.
- Over 80 businesses that have holdings on five continents and account for a sizeable portion of global oil and gas production have joined the alliance. Operators of LNG terminals, gas storage facilities, and transmission and distribution pipes for natural gas are also members of OGMP 2.0. Two-thirds of the world’s liquefied natural gas flows and almost 35% of all oil and gas production are produced by the members.
What is Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)?
- By monitoring the global warming gas, MARS contributes to international efforts to slow down climate change.
- The technology will be the first globally accessible system that transparently links methane detection to notification mechanisms.
- The International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) strategy of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) established the data-to-action platform to obtain data that is pertinent to policy.
How many countries and companies are engaged with the MARS initiative and is India involved?
- The system serves the entire world, despite the fact that the United States and the European Union wanted it.
- There are no OGMP members that are Indian firms.
@the-end
A satellite-based technology called MARS aids in the detection and control of methane emissions for businesses and governments. UNEP will be able to verify methane emissions reported by businesses and track variations over time with the use of this. India should use this as a chance to work together to reduce methane emissions.