BAKU, Nov 18 (IPS) – Methane emissions have emerged as a focus of debate as world leaders congregate at COP29 in Baku to deal with the escalating local weather disaster.
In an unique interview with IPS, Roland Kupers, a lead architect on the United Nations Setting Programme’s (UNEP) Worldwide Methane Emissions Observatory, outlined actionable methods to curb methane emissions by 2030, the challenges forward, and the essential position of worldwide cooperation.
The Methane Drawback: Sectoral Challenges and Alternatives
“Methane emissions will not be a singular situation however moderately a set of issues spanning 5 key sectors: oil and fuel, coal, waste, rice, and livestock,” Kupers mentioned. He provides that every sector requires tailor-made options.
“UNEP has prioritized the oil and fuel trade attributable to its substantial potential for discount.”
“The oil and fuel trade may obtain a 75 p.c discount in methane emissions by 2030. It isn’t solely reasonably priced but in addition possible, given the trade’s entry to expertise, capital, and experience,” Kupers mentioned, including that the waste sector additionally presents vital alternatives, though organizing mitigation measures on this sector poses logistical challenges.
UNEP’s method consists of creating detailed packages to deal with emissions in high-impact industries like oil, fuel, and metal.
“Methane emissions account for a 3rd of the local weather footprint of metal manufacturing, but they are often eradicated at a price of lower than 1% of metal’s manufacturing worth.”
Knowledge: A Cornerstone for Motion
Kupers additionally underlined the crucial position of correct information in driving methane mitigation efforts.
“Knowledge is important for human company. With out exact, measurement-based information, it is unimaginable to establish and deal with the particular sources of emissions successfully.”
In line with him, many present datasets depend on emission elements derived from outdated research. UNEP advocates transitioning to real-time, site-specific measurements to higher goal interventions.
“Once you collect correct information, you typically discover emissions in surprising locations, stressing the necessity for exact monitoring.”
Systemic Shifts within the Power Sector
To align with the 2030 local weather objectives, Kupers argues for a elementary transformation of the worldwide power system.
“Whereas mitigating methane emissions is essential, it isn’t an alternative choice to decarbonization. The final word goal should be to eradicate fossil fuels solely.”
He additionally highlighted the well being advantages of lowering methane emissions.
“Methane, each instantly and thru incomplete combustion, contributes to vital native well being hazards.”
The Monetary Perspective
Whereas local weather discussions typically middle across the monetary challenges of adaptation and mitigation, Kupers believes that addressing methane emissions, notably within the oil and fuel sector, isn’t a monetary burden.
“The oil and fuel trade is very worthwhile and well-resourced. It has no excuse for not addressing its methane emissions,” Kupers mentioned, including that even oil and fuel operations in creating nations function in extremely refined, well-funded environments.
Obligations of Developed Nations
The methane situation differs from broader local weather fairness debates, Kupers defined.
“For methane emissions in oil and fuel, the accountability to behave is common. Whether or not in Nigeria, Argentina, or Indonesia, the trade operates with the identical excessive requirements and capabilities as in developed nations.”
This universality makes methane mitigation a “local weather excellent news story,” because it bypasses a few of the fairness challenges seen in broader decarbonization debates.
Boundaries to Progress
Regardless of many years of local weather discussions, vital hurdles stay in addressing world warming. He attributes the sluggish progress to a scarcity of prioritization and consciousness about methane’s position.
“Methane has solely just lately gained prominence on the worldwide agenda. The science highlighting its significance has emerged previously decade,” Kupers mentioned. Policymakers are sometimes unaware of methane’s substantial local weather footprint or the cost-effective options out there.
Key COP-29 Goals
“UNEP has established formidable objectives for methane mitigation. The Oil and Gasoline Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0), a UNEP-led initiative, at present consists of firms chargeable for 42 p.c of world oil and fuel manufacturing. Kupers urged extra firms to affix, with the purpose of reaching 80 p.c participation,” Kupers mentioned.
One other crucial initiative is the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which integrates information from a dozen satellites to establish vital emission sources. UNEP then notifies governments and firms of those emissions.
“Over the previous yr, we have despatched 1,200 notifications to governments, however the response fee has been dismal—simply 1 p.c,” Kupers mentioned, a disappointing lack of engagement that factors to the necessity for stronger accountability measures at COP29.
The Stakes: Why Methane Issues
Human-induced methane emissions are chargeable for a 3rd of the present warming. Not like CO2, which is usually a byproduct of power use, methane emissions are largely waste streams. This makes them simpler to deal with and a crucial alternative for local weather motion.
“Methane mitigation isn’t just an environmental necessity however a low-hanging fruit. It is a solvable downside, and we should seize this chance,” Kupers mentioned.
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