By OMBOKI MONAYO
Management of methane emissions is among major challenges confronting humanity, attendees of the climate summit in Baku heard recently.
The announcement was made by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), on November 15th.
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Over the last two years, the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), a cutting-edge technology designed to detect major methane leaks, has issued an astonishing 1,200 alerts to governments and companies.
Yet, UNEP’s new data reveals a troubling reality: only 15 of these alerts led to any action.
This gap between awareness and response is alarming, especially considering the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030.
The report, titled An Eye on Methane: Invisible but not unseen, highlights that these alerts represent a largely untapped opportunity for immediate climate action.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change, often released due to equipment failures in industrial operations.
Thanks to advancements in satellite technology, particularly the European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellites, detecting methane emissions globally has become much more effective.
In Kenya, for example, the satellites can identify large methane plumes, providing crucial data for local authorities and businesses.
Methane emissions in Kenya arise from various sectors, including agriculture, livestock, and oil and gas.
While data on leaks in Kenya is still limited, the country is actively engaged in global efforts to monitor and reduce these emissions, especially in the oil and gas industry.
In Southern Kenya, a team of researchers from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Mazingira Centre, Cambridge University and Royal Holloway University of London have studied methane emissions from livestock through air sampling to understand how enteric fermentation contributes to atmospheric methane levels”.
The research, whose results were published in 2020, is vital for identifying the unique signatures of different methane sources, which can assist in designing localized strategies for methane emission reduction.
Methane is the second-largest driver of human-caused global warming after carbon dioxide (CO2) and is over 80 times more potent than CO2 in the short term.
To keep global warming below 1.5°C, we need to cut global methane emissions by 40-45% by 2030.
Worryingly, recent studies show that atmospheric methane concentrations have been rising at an unprecedented rate over the last five years.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen stressed the urgency of addressing this issue: “To have any chance of getting global warming under control, methane emissions must come down, and come down fast.
We now have a proven system to identify major leaks so they can be quickly stopped – often with simple repairs. We are quite literally talking about screwing bolts tighter in some cases.”
Andersen also urged governments and oil and gas companies to take action rather than just paying lip service: “They must stop paying lip service to this challenge when answers are staring them in the face.
Instead, they should recognize the significant opportunity this presents and start responding to alerts by plugging leaks that are spewing climate-warming methane into the atmosphere.
The tools are ready, the targets are set – now it is time to act.”While the need for swift action on methane emissions has never been clearer, there are positive examples of countries and companies stepping up.
In 2024, the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) confirmed emissions reductions from major leaks in Azerbaijan and the United States.
In Algeria and Nigeria, MARS alerts prompted direct government and industry action to address long-standing methane leaks.
In Algeria, the emissions avoided by fixing these leaks are equivalent to taking 500,000 cars off the road.
In Nigeria, a significant leak that emitted methane equivalent to 400,000 cars being driven for a year was repaired in under two weeks by simply replacing faulty equipment.
Beyond addressing major emissions detected from space, there are systems in place for industries to manage their methane footprints.
NEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) has grown to include 140 companies representing over 40% of global production.
In 2024, OGMP 2.0 began recognizing companies that achieve “Gold Standard reporting” for high-quality emissions data, with 55 companies earning this distinction so far.
Ensuring that all companies in the sector transition to OGMP 2.0 Gold Standard emissions reporting is crucial for effectively targeting mitigation efforts and tracking progress against commitments, such as the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter announced at COP28.
Additionally, IMEO has launched the Eye on Methane data platform to provide open, reliable, and actionable global methane emissions data, fostering impactful actions by governments and businesses while ensuring transparency for civil society and the media.
New initiatives are also emerging to tackle methane emissions from other sectors.
The Steel Methane Programme aims to address emissions from metallurgical coal used in steel production, which accounts for about 30% of the steel sector’s near-term climate impact.
This initiative offers a framework for reducing the climate footprint of steel as it moves toward greener alternatives.
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson stated, “Methane emissions are a powerful driver of climate change, and the EU is determined to cut down these emissions by 30% by 2030.
Credible data is essential to achieve the goals of the Global Methane Pledge.”As countries like Kenya enhance their monitoring systems and improve their responses to detected methane leaks, they will not only contribute to global climate goals but also address national environmental challenges.
By strengthening data collection and response efforts, Kenya can play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing its sustainability objectives.
Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary for Climate in Germany, emphasized, “Methane is a very aggressive greenhouse gas.
However, it has one advantage: it is much easier to reduce than CO2. We have to use these low-hanging fruits.” The message is clear: with the right data and commitment, substantial reductions in methane emissions are within reach, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
