Coalition of Oil and Gas Companies Pledge to Cut Methane Emissions

A coalition of 70 major oil and gas companies announced at COP28 on Saturday that they are committed to reducing methane emissions by 80 to 90% by the end of the decade, in a significant step towards combating climate change.

The Biden administration, represented by Vice President Kamala Harris at COP28, also revealed new regulations aimed at limiting methane gas emissions in the United States.

Methane, an invisible gas, is a potent contributor to global warming. It is released into the atmosphere through various sources, including leaks during fossil fuel production, the digestive systems of livestock, and decaying food in landfills. Methane is 84 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of its warming potential. Unlike carbon dioxide, which can linger in the atmosphere for centuries, methane dissipates after approximately a decade.

Ilissa Ocko, a senior climate scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, emphasized that reducing methane emissions presents the "single fastest opportunity" to decelerate the rate of global warming.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is the second largest contributor to climate change, responsible for over a quarter of the current warming. However, there is hope in reducing its emissions. Experts suggest that by implementing available technologies, we can cut global methane emissions in half within the next decade. This reduction could potentially slow down the rate of global warming by 30%.

Slowing down the pace of global warming would have numerous benefits. It could lead to fewer destructive storms, wildfires, and heatwaves, as well as a slower melting of the world's ice sheets, which contribute to rising sea levels. In Boulder, Colorado, scientists are utilizing advanced technology to track methane emissions and identify their sources.

These scientists use infrared cameras to detect methane gas. By capturing images from the bottom of planes, they can identify methane leaks in areas like the Perman Basin, the largest oil field on Earth. This technique is particularly useful for identifying leaks from oil and gas facilities, which are responsible for approximately a quarter of all human-made methane emissions. By pinpointing the sources of these leaks, it becomes possible to hold polluters accountable and take necessary action.