Phase Out Methane Emissions

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the President-Designate of COP28 has called upon the oil and gas industry to phase out methane emissions by 2030

Phase Out Methane Emissions By 2030

• Methane is powerful greenhouse gas
• Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH 4 ).
• Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years of its lifetime in the atmosphere.
• The common sources of methane are oil and natural gas systems, agricultural activities, coal mining, and wastes.

Phase Out Methane Emissions

• Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution.
• Promotes Generation of Tropospheric Ozone.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that fossil fuel operations generate over one- third of all methane emissions from human activity.

To decrease Methane Emissions :

• Harit Dhara’ (HD): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an anti- methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
• India shifted from Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms.
• Global Methane Pledge : At the Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP 26) in 2021, nearly 100 countries had come together in a voluntary pledge, referred to as the Global Methane Pledge, to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from the 2020 levels. India is not its member .

Practice Questions for Prelims

 Consider the following statements regarding Methane Alert and Response System.
1. It was launched at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change.
2. It is a platform set up mainly to curb methane emissions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 & 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: c

Mains Practice Question

What is Global Methane Pledge? Discuss the need and challenges associated with methane emission reductions by India.

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