Climate summit COP27 calls for action against methane
There has been a lot of talk about the UK’s pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 at COP26. However, the Green Alliance says there has been no progress on this front.
In order to reduce methane emissions by 43 percent this decade, if the UK acts swiftly to stop dumping biodegradable waste in landfills, creates stricter regulations in order to prevent fossil gas leaks, and takes steps to encourage dairy farmers to switch over to a new feedstock and improve the management of slurry, it will be able to achieve these reductions.
There are a number of low-cost options that the UK government should look at as part of its commitment to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, as indicated by the Green Alliance think tank in a report published this morning. It outlines a number of ways the UK government can fulfill its promise.
A considerable amount of attention has been paid to mitigating methane emissions, which many believe is part of the low-hanging fruit of the net zero transition because the majority of solutions are cost-effective, readily available, easy to implement, and can offer attractive returns on investment. A rising price of fossil fuels, for example, can result in oil and gas firms generating a significant profit boost from plugging methane leaks at oil and gas operations. This is because fossil fuel prices are soaring.
The Green Alliance has today warned that while the UK joined 100 other countries in signing the Global Methane Pact at the COP26 Climate Summit last year in order to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas – which has a much more potent greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide – not much progress has been made in showing how it will do so.
According to Dustin Benton, policy director at Green Alliance, methane emissions are contributing more to global warming than carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, it’s crucial to cut both methane and carbon dioxide emissions as soon as possible. In our study, we have presented the first model that shows how the UK will be able to exceed its global methane pledge by 2030, by implementing policies that are low-cost and a one-stop shop to not only help reduce methane emissions, but also create new industries for alternative proteins, and provide a broader sense of security against the gas crisis.”
The Green Alliance data indicates that, in its own right, a ban on biodegradable waste by 2025, along with a mandate for landfill operators to use biogas capture technologies to capture methane, could reduce methane emissions by 19% by 2030 and help reduce smog by 20 percent by 2050.
The findings also showed that by reducing the methane intensity of the agricultural and land use sectors of the UK’s economy, another 15% of its methane emissions could be eliminated in the future. As the report argued, implementing measures such as feeding methane-reducing supplements to dairy cows, improving the management of slurry, investing in plant-based protein production, and encouraging people to switch to alternative proteins rather than processed meat and dairy would all result in significant reductions in methane emissions.
In order to take advantage of the remaining nine percent of savings, Green Alliance argues that regulation of the gas industry would bolster both the country’s energy supplies as well as the profits of oil and gas multinationals.
A methane action plan published by the UK fossil gas industry sets out its plan to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gas in half by 2030. However, in a report released last month, the International Energy Agency (IEA) analyzed the existing methane leaks in the sector and calculated that as much as 72 percent of them could be reduced profitably with existing technologies and practices.
The Green Alliance has stressed that the UK’s move on methane emissions will demonstrate the UK’s global leadership on climate change. This will set an example for other nations to follow in the fight against climate change in the future.
As a result of a recent warning from the United Nations that there is no credible pathway to capping global temperatures at 1.5C by mid-century, the target set by the Paris Agreement in 2015, there is increasing pressure on governments that will convene later this week at COP27 to deliver an ambitious outcome at the conference. This comes after a recent warning from the UN that there is no credible pathway for reaching that goal.
Policymakers attending the summit have been given a flurry of recommendations by a number of reports. These include recommendations on how to tackle methane. They also recommend setting more ambitious climate targets, increasing the efficiency of policies, and increasing the flow of public and private funding for climate change. A 600-strong group of investors called for stronger policies and measures this morning.
In an analysis published this morning, the Energy Transitions Commission set out three priority areas for governments and businesses to advocate for, including closing the ‘ambition gap’ through more ambitious country targets; introducing targeted policies and actions that drive real-world progress on methane, deforestation, power, road transport, heavy industry, and energy efficiency; and plugging the ‘finance gap’ preventing middle and low-income countries from tackling and adapting to climate change.
A long time ago, Adair Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, said it would be “essential” if the world was to significantly limit global warming to 1.5C, then the full implementation of the commitments made at COP26 would be essential, as well as further progress at COP27, if it is to have a 50% chance of doing so.
In spite of the challenges that the global economy and the political environment are currently facing, he said, “we must continue to focus our attention on the global crises presented by climate change.” Each 0.1-degree rise in temperature over 1.5C will have a tremendous impact. There are also many actions that could be taken to strengthen energy security in order to facilitate a rapid transition to a low carbon economy that is more resilient and stable as well.”
As part of the report, it is emphasized how funding must be increased so that the coal industry will phase out. Deforestation will be stopped. Technology development would be able to remove CO2.
There is also an emphasis on reducing red meat consumption as one of the most effective measures to reduce emissions from forest loss and livestock, noting that huge savings can be realized by shifting diets and investing in plant-based protein production and synthetic meats, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving lives.
It is encouraging to see the rapid growth and deployment of renewable energy and electric vehicles, as well as the optimism about the advancements in heavy industry and energy efficiency,” said Mike Hemsley, deputy director of the Energy Transitions Commission. The reduction of methane emissions, early coal phase-out, and the end of deforestation are vital issues that must be addressed urgently; however, this is only an interim measure and is not sufficient on its own.
Source- Businessgreen
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
