Role of Methane in Climate Change
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environmental Conservation
Source: IE
Context: Methane, though short-lived (12 years), traps 84 times more heat than CO2 over 20 years, making it a powerful greenhouse gas.
What is Methane?
It is an Odorless, colourless, and flammable gas; the second-largest contributor to global warming after Carbon Dioxide and the primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual Global Methane Tracker 2024 report
Key Findings of the Report | In 2023, methane emissions from the energy sector remained close to a record high.
Fossil fuel production and usage, alongside bioenergy, contributed to nearly 120 million tonnes (Mt) of emissions, with approximately 70% originating from the top 10 emitting countries.
Among these, the United States leads in methane emissions from oil and gas operations, followed by Russia, while China ranks highest in the coal sector.
Recommendations of the Report | Achieving a 75% reduction in methane emissions by 2030 necessitates an estimated investment of around US $170 billion
Improved tools for emission tracking, like satellite imagery, have enhanced transparency, yet systematic and transparent data utilization is essential to reduce emission
Global Initiatives to Control Methane | International Methane Emissions Observatory, Global Methane Pledge (India is not part of it), Global Methane Initiative, MethaneSAT
Indian Initiatives | GobarDhan scheme, National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme.
About IEA | IEA (HQ: Paris; Founded in 1974) is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation to ensure the security of oil supplies. Membership: 31 countries. World Energy Outlook is Published every year and provides critical analysis and insights on trends in energy demand and supply.
MethaneSAT
Role of methane in climate change:
Aspect | Details | Example
Heat Trapping Ability | Methane traps about 84 times more heat than CO2 over a 20-year period. | Methane’s short-term heat-trapping effect significantly contributes to global warming.
Duration in Atmosphere | Methane stays in the atmosphere for about 12 years before dissipating. | Despite its short life, its intense heat-trapping impact is substantial during its presence.
Contribution to Global Warming | Methane is responsible for approximately one-third of global warming since the Industrial Revolution. | It has a major impact on rising global temperatures and changing climate patterns.
Sources | Human activities and natural sources. 60% of the methane that makes it into the atmosphere comes from human activities. | Human: Agriculture (e.g., cow burps), landfills, and fossil fuel extraction. Natural: Wetland permafrost thawing.
Energy Sector Emissions | Methane escapes during oil and gas production, transportation, and storage. | Methane leaks occur from rusty equipment or during gas flaring and venting processes.
Way Forward
To address methane emissions, several strategies can be employed. Adopting sustainable agricultural practices, such as precision farming and conservation tillage, can reduce emissions from agriculture. Methane-capturing technologies in livestock operations and landfills can capture and convert methane into usable energy. Implementing rice cultivation techniques like System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) can cut methane from rice paddies. Additionally, promoting biogas production from organic waste offers a renewable energy source and helps mitigate methane emissions from waste decomposition.
Mains Link:
“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (UPSC 2018)
Prelims Link:
Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (USPC 2019)
• Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
• Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in the Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
• Methane in the atmosphere oxidises to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)