Context:
Methane (CH4) emissions are currently on the rise, posing a significant threat to achieving the global climate targets established by the Paris Agreement. Historically, carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been the primary focus of climate discussions; however, methane, which is a much more potent greenhouse gas (GHG), is now receiving increased attention. Addressing methane emissions is crucial because of its strong impact on global warming, and targeting reductions in methane could lead to swift and significant progress in global climate action efforts.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Impact of Methane on Climate Change
- Initiatives to Tackle Methane Emissions
- Why Did India Decline the Global Methane Pledge?
Impact of Methane on Climate Change:
- Methane Potency:
- Methane is 80 times more potent than CO₂ as a greenhouse gas.
- It has contributed to 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution.
- Atmospheric Lifespan:
- Methane stays in the atmosphere for only 7 to 12 years.
- Reducing emissions or increasing sinks of methane can provide a short-term impact on climate while allowing time to address long-term CO₂ reduction.
- Climate Action Goals:
- Reducing methane emissions by 45% by 2030 could help meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting warming to 1.5°C.
Benefits of Reducing Methane:
- Immediate Climate Benefits:
- Methane reduction or removal can help mitigate global warming quickly, turning methane into an essential ally in maintaining safe global temperatures.
- Air Quality Improvement:
- Lower methane emissions improve air quality by reducing the formation of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to respiratory health.
Methane Emission Sources:
- Primary Sectors:
- Energy Sector: Oil, gas, and coal production.
- Agriculture: Primarily from livestock and rice cultivation.
- Waste Management: Emissions from landfills.
Global Methane Emission Statistics:
- Annual Emissions:
- Global methane emissions are around 580 million tonnes per year.
- 40% of these emissions come from natural sources, while 60% are due to human activities.
- Largest Sources:
- Agriculture is the largest human-induced source, responsible for 25% of emissions.
- The energy sector follows closely, with significant emissions from coal, oil, natural gas, and biofuels.
Initiatives to Tackle Methane Emissions
Indian Initiatives:
- Harit Dhara (HD):
- Developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), it’s an anti-methanogenic feed supplement.
- Reduces cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and enhances milk production.
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
- Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it promotes climate-resilient practices, including methane reduction in rice cultivation.
- National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA):
- Developed by ICAR under NICRA project.
- Technologies to mitigate methane emissions from rice cultivation:
- System for Rice Intensification: Increases rice yield by 36-49% with 22-35% less water.
- Direct Seeded Rice: Reduces methane emissions by eliminating traditional methods.
- Crop Diversification Programme: Shifts from paddy cultivation to alternative crops, minimizing methane emissions.
- Bharat Stage-VI Norms:
- India transitioned from Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms to reduce vehicular methane emissions.
Global Initiatives:
- Methane Alert and Response System (MARS):
- Integrates data from satellites to detect methane emission events worldwide and notifies stakeholders for action.
- Global Methane Pledge:
- A voluntary commitment by nearly 100 countries, established at the Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP 26) in 2021.
- Aims to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.
- India is not part of the Global Methane Pledge.
- Global Methane Initiative (GMI):
- An international public-private partnership focused on overcoming barriers to recovering and using methane as a clean energy source.
Why Did India Decline the Global Methane Pledge?
- Main Methane Sources in India:
- India’s methane emissions primarily come from enteric fermentation in livestock and paddy cultivation. These practices are essential for small and marginal farmers, forming the core of the nation’s agricultural economy.
- Survival Emissions:
- Methane emissions from agriculture are considered “survival” emissions as they directly impact food production and farmers’ livelihoods, rather than being linked to luxury or excessive consumption.
- Rice Cultivation and Food Security:
- India, as one of the largest producers and exporters of rice, argues that reducing methane emissions from rice fields could harm food security, affecting both domestic supply and export potential.
- Impact on Farmers and Rural Economy:
- Any reduction in agricultural production, due to methane mitigation, could threaten farmers’ incomes and subsequently disrupt rural economies.
- CO₂ vs. Methane:
- India believes that CO₂, which has a longer lifespan (100-1000 years), is the main driver of climate change, while the Global Methane Pledge places undue emphasis on methane reduction, a gas with a shorter lifespan, potentially shifting the burden away from CO₂ mitigation.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):
- India’s climate actions under the Paris Agreement are not tied to sector-specific emission reduction targets, allowing the country flexibility to address emissions based on national priorities.
- Alignment with National Interests:
- After evaluation, the Indian government concluded that signing the Global Methane Pledge would not be in alignment with the country’s national interests.
-Source: Down To Earth
