Page 9 - AfrElec Week 08 2022

AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec

Methane dissipates faster than carbon diox-
ide (CO2) but is a much more powerful green- levels is no reason to delay action. Big cuts can
house gas during its short lifespan, meaning that be achieved with known technologies and tried
cutting methane emissions would have a rapid & tested policies.
effect on limiting global warming. If all countries implemented these proven
policies, it would cut global methane emissions
Global Methane Pledge from oil & gas operations in half.
Some companies and countries are showing Satellites have greatly improved visibility of
what can already be done to reduce emissions the largest leaks & latest readings are included
from oil and gas operations. The emissions in the IEA’s report.
intensity in countries such as Norway is over 100 Current satellites and data processing tech-
times better than in the worst performers. niques can be used to detect and quantify total
The Global Methane Pledge, launched emissions from major leaks over a large area,
in November by more than 110 countries at down to small leaks at the facility level.
COP26, was an important step. For example, data from the European Space
However, more countries need to join as not Agency satellite Sentinel 5-P, processed by the
all of the largest methane emitters globally are earth analytics firm Kayrros, indicates that dur-
part of the Pledge. ing 2021 there were around 70 countries where
“The Global Methane Pledge must become a methane emissions from oil and gas operations
landmark moment in the world’s efforts to drive could be detected for at least 15 days.
down emissions,” said Birol. In 2021, major emissions were confirmed
“Cutting global methane emissions from in Texas & Central Asia: Turkmenistan caused
human activities by 30% by the end of this dec- a third of large emissions events from oil & gas
ade would have the same effect on global warm- seen by satellites.
ing by 2050 as shifting the entire transport sector On the other hand, relatively few major leaks
to net zero CO2 emissions.” were detected for the major onshore oil and gas
producers in the Middle East.
Satellites Action on methane is an integral part of
The IEA found that if all methane leaks from efforts to reach net zero & limit global warming
fossil fuel operations in 2021 had been captured to 1.5 C.
& sold, natural gas markets would have had an In the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Sce-
additional 180bcm of gas. That is equivalent to nario, energy-related methane emissions need to
all the gas used in Europe’s power sector and fall 75% by 2030.
more than enough to ease today’s market tight- Reducing fossil fuel demand alone will not
ness, Gould said. do the job quickly or effectively enough, Gould
Uncertainty over methane emission warned.™

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