Soaring methane levels threaten climate ambitions




Launched at COP26 in 2021, the Global Methane Pledge has now been joined by 158 countries. These nations, representing over 50% of global methane emissions, are committed to collectively reducing methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.[1]

The Global Methane Pledge is joined by 158 countries (in blue), accounting for over 50% of methane emissions globally (Image source: Global Methane Pledge)

Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas—after carbon dioxide—being responsible for 20-30% of global warming. Because methane has a stronger warming effect over a shorter period of time, making deep cuts to this short-lived climate pollutant would help limit near-term warming and buy time for reducing carbon dioxide.[2] Recent report however suggests that methane emissions are rising faster than ever.

Scientists under the Global Carbon Project found that annual methane emissions increased by 15-20% over the past two decades.[3] At least two-thirds come from human activities, such as cattle rearing (and other ruminants), rice paddies, coal mining, natural gas extraction and transport, and organic waste decomposing in landfills. While European nations have begun reducing methane emissions, China, India, and the US remain major emitting countries.

Replacing coal with natural gas (methane) in electricity generation has become a major part of Hong Kong’s midterm decarbonisation strategy (Image source: HK Electric)

The study also found wetlands and waterlogged soils—which account for the remaining third of methane emissions—are becoming climate bombs, as rising temperatures threaten to convert these major carbon sinks into emitters.[4]

Warming climate and thawing permafrost releases methane from wetlands—sometimes explosively like Siberia’s exploding craters (Image source: Aleksandr Lutcenko/Shutterstock)

Atmospheric methane levels are now 2.6 times higher than in pre-industrial times, and have been rising more rapidly in the past few years. The current trend not only threatens the Global Methane Pledge, but also puts the world on track for at least 3°C of warming by the end of the century. Rampant methane emissions pose other problems too. Methane is a major source of ground-level ozone, a toxic pollutant that can trigger a range of health problems in humans and animals, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks.[5]Ozone pollution also damages plants, leading to crop losses.[6]

The silver lining is that there are solutions to cut methane emissions right now. The oil and gas sector could address a significant portion of its emissions by avoiding routine venting and repairing leaks.[7] Besides phasing out coal consumption outright, degasification systems can capture methane emissions during coal mining operations.[8] In food production, planting low-methane rice varieties and adopting best practices can address emissions in rice cultivation;[9]feed additives can reduce cow belching and flatulence;[10] a shift towards plant-based diets would also directly cut demand on red meats and cattle rearing.

Adding seaweed to feed could make cows less gassy, but eating less meat would address agricultural methane emissions more directly (Image source: Shutterstock)

We have just a bit over five years before 2030, when emissions should be cut by almost half to limit global warming to 1.5°C. We must accelerate efforts to slash methane emissions if we want to still have a liveable planet.


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