The battle against climate change is far from over, and one of the key weapons in our arsenal is methane policy. While the world grapples with the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the International Energy Agency's recent report reveals a concerning trend: methane emissions are not declining globally, and the implementation gap in current policies is widening. This is a critical issue, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with 1 tonne causing 80 times more warming than 1 tonne of carbon dioxide over 20 years. So, what does this mean for our planet's future? And what can we do about it?
The Methane Conundrum
Methane emissions are a complex issue, and the current state of affairs is a cause for concern. The UN has repeatedly emphasized the need to control methane emissions to address the climate crisis. However, the reality is that many countries are falling short of their climate goals, and the implementation of methane policies is weak. For instance, India and Indonesia, which together account for over 12% of global methane emissions, have no identifiable methane policies. This is a significant blindspot, as these countries are major contributors to the problem.
One of the key challenges is the lack of ambition in methane regulation. While policies related to fossil fuels are in place, they are often insufficient. For example, even in the oil and gas sector, which is comparatively well-regulated, few policies require public disclosure, third-party verification, or standardized methods for measuring emissions. This is a missed opportunity, as these measures could significantly reduce methane emissions.
The Role of Agriculture
Agriculture is a significant source of methane emissions, accounting for around 40% of global emissions. However, the management of agricultural methane remains a global blindspot. Fewer than half of the 100 methane policies identified targeted agriculture specifically, and 13 jurisdictions, including the EU, France, and Poland, had no agricultural methane policies. This is a critical issue, as these countries are major contributors to global methane emissions.
The imbalance in methane regulation suggests that governments continue to prioritize tackling energy-sector methane while overlooking agricultural emissions. This is a mistake, as dietary changes in developed countries, primarily through cutting beef and dairy consumption, could be transformative in putting an emergency brake on climate change. Shifts toward more sustainable diets would also have additional co-benefits for the environment and public health.
The Way Forward
Despite the challenges, there are signs of hope. More than half of recent methane policies emerged in African and Latin American jurisdictions, highlighting how developing and emerging economies are prioritizing climate action through rule-making based on their distinct contexts. This is a positive trend, and it shows that there is a global movement towards stronger climate policies.
However, we must also be aware of the backsliding in some jurisdictions, such as the US, where the Environmental Protection Agency delayed methane regulations for oil and gas facilities. This is a setback, but it is not a reason to give up. Instead, it is a call to action, and we must continue to push for stronger climate policies and enforcement.
In my opinion, the key to success lies in a multi-faceted approach. We need to prioritize the implementation of methane policies, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors. We also need to encourage developing and emerging economies to prioritize climate action through rule-making based on their distinct contexts. Finally, we must continue to push for stronger climate policies and enforcement, even in the face of backsliding in some jurisdictions.
The battle against climate change is far from over, but with strong policy and enforcement, there is still a chance for the world to get to grips with methane emissions. It is time to act, and the time to act is now.
