A new analysis from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that Emissions data that is accessible, dependable, and technologically advanced might change the way nations and companies report, speed up efforts to combat Climate Change and ensure that polluters are held responsible. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the “An Eye on Methane: The Road to Radical Transparency” report was released. It explains how cutting-edge tech and the UN’s convening power could close huge knowledge gaps about emissions and set in motion the rapid and massive action that is necessary to meet essential climate treaties.
In order to control global temperatures within the next decade and avoid a climate disaster, it is essential to decrease emissions. It is potent, but its atmospheric lifetime is significantly shorter than carbon dioxide’s. According to Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, there is no realistic way to achieve climate stability without simultaneously addressing carbon dioxide and methane. To curb human-caused emissions, a potent Greenhouse gas that accounts for a third of the world’s current warming, the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) was launched last year through UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory.
Its global emissions need to be cut by 40–45 percent by 2030.
The CCAC/UNEP Global Methane Assessment found that in order to achieve cost-effective routes that limit global warming to 1.5°C, its emissions worldwide need to be cut by 40–45 percent by 2030. In the past, most of the information available came from general emissions factors, which have been shown over and over again by peer-reviewed science to underestimate actual amounts significantly. The EU enthusiastically supports the methane data revolution. According to European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, the new generation of satellites and the increased openness from companies in tracking, reporting, and reducing their emissions would undoubtedly hasten the process of reducing emissions.
Air Pollution and human health are gravely threatened by atmospheric methane levels that are at an all-time high. It is over 80 times stronger in the short term than carbon dioxide (CO2) and is the second most important human-caused greenhouse gas. There have been tremendous advancements in tools and Technology that can give usable data since the Global Methane Pledge was launched at COP26. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Rick Duke stated that IMEO’s work with the MARS demonstrates their essential role in collecting this data and making it available to individuals who may take action.
Multi-sector baseline studies will be conducted across nations.
To make its emission detections, notifications provided to nations or companies about incidents, and subsequent mitigation efforts accessible to everyone, the study unveils the first public data from MARS as a component of the IMEO Methane Data platform. IMEO found 1500 methane plumes and delivered MARS notifications for over 120 of them in its first pilot year, focusing on the energy industry. Additionally, the first-ever multi-scale measuring campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the Middle East are being supported by UNEP’s IMEO. In addition, it is working on the framework for a Methane Supply Index, which will help authorities determine the suppliers’ products’ footprint.
IMEO is increasing its collaboration with nations to conduct multi-sector baseline studies on its emissions. These studies will outline approaches to fill scientific and regional knowledge gaps and comprehensively overview the problem. After this first release of MARS data on the IMEO Methane Data site, IMEO will keep putting out new data so that everyone is held more accountable and people can see the chance to take action. Nigeria is happy to work with the European Commission and UNEP’s IMEO on a new project to measure its emissions in Nigeria as a starting point, according to Nigerian Minister of Environment, H. E. Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the country’s efforts to combat methane and live up to its status as a Global Methane Pledge Champion will rely heavily on the data gathered from this initiative.
Human activities contribute mainly to the emissions.
Lastly, the majority of the emissions in the world come from human activities in the waste management, agricultural, and Fossil Fuel industries. Its levels could increase by as much as 13% at the present pace of human activity between 2020 and 2030, despite the fact that they would have to decrease by 30% to 60% over this time in order to keep global warming below 1.5 °C. About half of this decrease in its emissions would have to come from fossil fuel operations; however, half of the emissions from coal and over three-quarters from oil and gas activities may be cut with current, frequently inexpensive technology.
