By Adewale Sanyaolu
Nigeria has commenced moves to significantly curb methane in line with prescribed standards set by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Methane Emissions Observatory, IMEO,
UNEP, at the weekend, released at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, An Eye on Methane: The Road to Radical Transparency, which highlights how the combination of pioneering technology and the UN’s convening power could plug major methane emissions knowledge gaps and trigger action at the scale and speed needed to fulfill essential climate pledges.
High-tech, accessible and reliable data that informs countries, companies and the public about emissions could revolutionise reporting systems, accelerate climate action, and hold polluters to account, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the highly attended event said, “Nigeria is proud to partner with UNEP’s IMEO and the European Commission on a new project to conduct a baseline measurement study of methane emissions in Nigeria.”
Lawal, expressed optimism that the data from the campaign will be instrumental in driving Nigeria’s action on methane and fulfilling its commitments as a Global Methane Pledge Champion.
Human activities in agriculture, waste, and fossil fuel sectors account for more than half of global methane emissions.
The current rate of human activity could see methane levels rise by up to 13 per cent between 2020 and 2030, when they would need to fall by 30 per cent to 60 per cent over this period to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.
Fossil fuel operations would likely need to provide around half of this reduction in methane emissions and existing, often low-cost technology could be used to reduce more than three-quarters of methane emissions from oil and gas operations and half of emissions from coal.
“Methane is so powerful, but has a far shorter life in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, slashing emissions now is critical for limiting global temperatures within the next decade, and before we cross irreversible global tipping points, to avert climate catastrophe.
Without dual action on methane and carbon dioxide, there is no viable path to climate stability,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme.
Launched through UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory last year, the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) puts methane data from satellite into the hands of authorities to limit anthropogenic emissions of a powerful greenhouse gas responsible for a third of today’s global warming.
Global methane emissions must be reduced by 40-45 per cent by 2030 to achieve cost-effective pathways that limit global warming to 1.5°C, according to the CCAC/UNEP Global Methane Assessment.
Historically, available data on methane emissions has largely been based on generic emissions factors that peer-reviewed science has repeatedly proven dramatically underestimate measured levels.
“The EU is a proud supporter of the upcoming methane data revolution. It will certainly accelerate emissions reduction, thanks a to a new generation of satellites combined with the enhanced transparency from companies in monitoring, reporting and abating their emissions”, said Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Atmospheric methane is at its highest level in recorded