Methane Emissions from Energy Sector Up in 2023 Despite Climate Change Promises
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report on March 13th highlighting the persistent challenge of methane emissions from the energy sector, despite efforts to address them. Methane emissions, which stem from various human activities such as oil and natural gas production, agriculture, and landfills, are potent greenhouse gases contributing significantly to global warming.
According to the IEA report, methane emissions remained close to a record high in 2023, with over 120 million metric tons released into the atmosphere from fossil fuel operations alone. This marks a slight increase from the previous year, signaling ongoing challenges in curbing emissions. Furthermore, large methane plumes from leaky fossil fuel infrastructure surged by 50% compared to 2022, with notable incidents like a well blowout in Kazakhstan detected by satellites.
Tim Gould, the IEA’s chief energy economist, expressed concern over the persistently high levels of emissions, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Despite commitments from over 150 countries since 2021 to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by the end of the decade, emissions have remained stubbornly high.
To address this issue, advancements in satellite technology offer promising opportunities for enhanced monitoring and detection of methane emissions. Earlier this month, a new methane-detecting satellite, supported by Alphabet Inc’s Google and the Environmental Defense Fund, was launched into orbit. This satellite, MethaneSAT, will provide greater detail and wider coverage in monitoring methane emissions.
The IEA anticipates 2024 to be a pivotal year for action and transparency on methane emissions. With methane being a valuable component of natural gas, there is an economic incentive for oil and gas companies to capture emissions for resale as fuel. However, a recent study published in the journal Nature found that methane leaks from oil and gas operations may be significantly underestimated. Using aerial measurements, scientists estimated substantial methane emissions from key U.S. production sites, potentially resulting in billions of dollars in market losses for oil and gas companies.
Overall, addressing methane emissions remains a critical challenge in combating climate change. Continued efforts to monitor, mitigate, and reduce emissions are essential to achieve global climate goals and safeguard the environment.
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