Methane Global Tracker report is the annual report released by the International Energy Agency. The IEA will release the yearly Methane Global Tracker study in March 2023. Methane is a warming gas, and its emissions are environmentally hazardous. Last year, fossil fuel firms released 120 million metric tonnes of methane into the atmosphere, according to the newest report. India, for its part, has pledged to reduce its GDP's carbon intensity by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030. This article explains that the Methane Global Tracker Report is important for UPSC IAS exam preparation.

Methane Global Tracker Report

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes the Methane Global Tracker Report every year.
• Since 1993, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has used this large-scale simulation model to generate detailed sector-by-sector and region-by-region projections for the World Energy Outlook (WEO) scenarios.
• For the first time, the 2022 report provides a comprehensive collection of country-level figures for methane emissions from the energy industry.
• The Tracker is an essential tool in the battle to reduce pollution and the new Global Methane Pledge.
• Methane is responsible for roughly 30% of the increase in global temps since the Industrial Revolution, and reducing methane emissions quickly and sustainably is critical to controlling near-term global warming and improving air quality.

Methane Global Tracker Report - Key Findings

• The energy industry, which includes oil, natural gas, coal, and biomass, accounts for roughly 40% of anthropogenic methane emissions.
• According to the Report, there is a huge disparity in emissions data, with the real quantity being roughly 70% higher than what national governments have formally recorded.
• In 2022, the worldwide energy industry was responsible for approximately 135 million tonnes of methane emissions.
• The incomplete combustion of bioenergy, primarily from the conventional use of wood, added approximately 10 Mt of emissions.
• During the digging, extraction, and shipping processes, as well as when natural gas is flared or expelled, methane is released into the atmosphere.
• Every year, more than 260 billion cubic metres of natural gas (mostly methane) are lost due to flaring and methane escapes around the world.
• According to the study, the fossil fuel sector could adopt 80% of the available choices to reduce methane emissions at no expense.
• Finally, reducing 75% of natural gas waste could reduce global temperature increase by nearly 0.1 degree Celsius by mid-century, having the same effect as instantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles globally.

Global Methane Pledge

• The Global Methane Pledge was introduced in November 2021, and yearly ministerial-level talks are held to assess progress.
• This promise aims to galvanise international action and increase global support for current methane emission reduction efforts.
• Its goal is to progress technological and legislative work to support participants' domestic activities.
• It has over 100 members, accounting for nearly half of global man made methane emissions and more than two-thirds of global GDP.
• It is on track to meet the Pledge target of averting more than 8 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per year by 2030.
• MARS is an acronym for Methane Alert and Response System. It incorporates statistics on methane leaks. The United Nations Environment Programme initiated it. It's a satellite-based surveillance system.

Steps taken by India to control Methane Emissions

• The Paris Agreement: India is a signatory to the agreement, which seeks to keep global warming to less than 2°C and to continue measures to keep temperature increases to less than 1.5°C.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Its particular goal is to decrease agricultural emissions by promoting low-emission agricultural technologies and practices, such as the use of organic fertilisers and improved livestock management.
• Renewable energy: The government has also introduced several schemes to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, which can help decrease reliance on fossil fuels and related methane emissions.
• National Green Tribunal: It has the authority to hear environmental cases and implement environmental laws, including those governing methane emissions.
• National Clean Energy Fund: The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change established the National Clean Energy Fund to fund study and development of clean energy technologies and initiatives.

Conclusion

To resolve the Methane emission problem, fossil fuel firms must take significant action to reduce methane emissions in accordance with policymakers. Reducing methane pollution is one of the most cost-effective ways to restrict near-term global warming. While these measures are targeted at reducing methane emissions, much more needs to be done, particularly in India, to successfully control and reduce methane emissions.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Why is methane considered more harmful than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming potential?

A) It lasts longer in the atmosphere

B) It absorbs more heat per molecule

C) It is less abundant in the atmosphere

D) It is less reactive than carbon dioxide

2. What is the main source of methane emissions from agriculture?

A) Livestock digestion (enteric fermentation)

B) Fertilizer use

C) Pesticides

D) Crop residues

3. Which of the following sectors is responsible for the highest methane emissions globally?

A) Agriculture

B) Oil and gas

C) Waste management

D) Transportation

4. What is one of the key recommendations in the Methane Global Tracker Report?

A) Reducing CO2 emissions

B) Improving methane detection and monitoring

C) Expanding carbon capture technologies

D) Reducing water usage in agriculture

5. Which region has been highlighted as a major source of methane emissions in the Methane Global Tracker Report?

A) Arctic regions

B) Middle East

C) Sub-Saharan Africa

D) North America

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: How does the monitoring of methane emissions contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts?

Answer: Monitoring methane emissions plays a critical role in identifying key sources and quantifying the global impact of methane on climate change. Accurate tracking allows for targeted mitigation strategies, such as improved regulations in the oil and gas industry, adopting leak detection technologies, and reducing emissions from agricultural practices. By identifying high-emission sources, countries can take immediate action to mitigate climate change in the short term, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher warming potential than carbon dioxide in the near term.

Q2: Discuss the impact of reducing methane emissions on global warming and climate policy.

Answer: Reducing methane emissions is one of the most effective ways to mitigate global warming, as methane is significantly more potent than CO2 in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Addressing methane emissions can have an immediate impact on climate change, especially in sectors like oil and gas, agriculture, and waste management. Climate policies should focus on methane reduction strategies such as better leak detection, regulating methane emissions from landfills, and improving agricultural practices. These efforts complement long-term CO2 reduction goals, helping to stabilize the global climate in the short term.

Q3: What role do international agreements and frameworks play in reducing methane emissions, and how can they be strengthened?

Answer: International agreements and frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement, play a crucial role in setting global targets and fostering cooperation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane. Strengthening international frameworks to address methane emissions could involve setting binding targets, providing financial support for mitigation technologies, and enhancing the transparency of emissions reporting. Countries must also work together to create policies and share best practices for methane mitigation, ensuring that industries in all countries adopt emission reduction technologies and strategies.

Previous Year Questions on Methane Global Tracker Report

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following is the primary source of methane emissions in agriculture?

A) Pesticides
B) Livestock digestion
C) Irrigation practices
D) Soil erosion

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Livestock digestion, specifically enteric fermentation, is the primary source of methane emissions in agriculture, particularly in cattle, sheep, and other ruminants.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Examine the role of methane in global warming and discuss mitigation strategies for reducing methane emissions in key sectors such as agriculture and fossil fuel extraction."

Answer: Methane plays a critical role in global warming due to its high global warming potential, significantly contributing to climate change in the short term. Key sectors such as agriculture (livestock), oil and gas extraction, and waste management are major sources of methane emissions. Mitigation strategies include improving monitoring and leak detection in oil and gas facilities, capturing methane from landfills, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices such as reducing methane from enteric fermentation and rice paddies. Global efforts should focus on stringent regulations, innovative technologies, and policy reforms to curb methane emissions and limit climate change.