China and other major emitters could use existing technologies to ramp up their efforts to cut methane emissions from fossil fuels, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Despite its shorter lifespan in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide, methane has a more potent warming potential and is responsible for nearly a third of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, the IEA said.
As the world’s largest methane emitter from fossil fuels, China accounts for an estimated 17.5 per cent of the 120 million tonnes of total global emissions, mostly from the coal sector.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
The US and Russia rank second and third, respectively and derive most of their emissions from oil and gas.
At last year’s Cop28 summit, China’s top climate envoy Xie Zhenhua said the country was taking steps to reduce its methane emissions, but that China and other developing countries “still lack the capabilities” to control emissions.
Climate envoy says China has ‘done a lot’ on methane despite criticism of plan
However, in its Global Methane Tracker report released on Wednesday, the IEA said that technology to curb methane emissions from oil, gas and coal operations required “no technological breakthroughs”.
Methane emissions from fossil fuels increased slightly last year, despite the 2021 Global Methane Pledge – spearheaded by the US and the European Union to achieve a reduction to 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030.
The IEA report noted that the number could start to decline as National Determined Contributions (NDCs) – due under the Paris Agreement – kick in, alongside renewed global support to reduce emissions after Cop28.
China, which is not a party to the pledge, released a Methane Emissions Control Action Plan in November to enhance monitoring and utilisation of methane emissions across sectors.
The action plan did not specify reduction targets, which the IEA said may be outlined in China’s NDCs.
However, the elimination of 75 per cent of the world’s methane emissions from fossil fuels by 2030 “is imperative to stop the planet from warming to a dangerous level” and keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.
The IEA estimates that current global policies and initiatives will only achieve a 20 per cent reduction, but said the number could rise to 50 per cent if post-Cop28 action plans are successfully implemented.
“Now, we must focus on transforming commitments into action ... Well known policies and existing technologies could reduce methane emissions from fossil fuels substantially,” Birol said.
According to the report, China could avoid an estimated 53 per cent of its oil and gas-related methane emissions with “tried and tested measures”, and 57 per cent from coal with promising measures like mine degasification.
The IEA report acknowledged that money may still be a barrier for developing nations, with around US$170 billion needed to meet the world’s emissions reduction goal. However, the amount is just 5 per cent of the income generated in 2023 by the fossil fuel industry, it said.
Some measures for abatement – such as capturing methane and selling it for use in different industries – could even save money because of the product’s market value, the report said.
More from South China Morning Post:
- China faces 3% GDP loss as heatwaves intensify, hit global supply chains: climate change study
- Climate change goals: it’s only fair to cut developing nations some slack
- China pumps out coal plants at increasing pace to allay power-security fears, risking climate transition: Greenpeace
- China sees rebound in carbon dioxide emissions, but increase not a shift towards coal: report
- German climate envoy urges China to look beyond coal for energy-secure future
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2024.
