The maritime industry can help combat climate change by reducing Methane emissions to keep our global temperature at 1.5°C. Industrial Methane emissions are increasing sharply.
The UN announced a new satellite-based system to detect Methane emissions and enable the public and private sectors to act on the findings.
The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is the first public global system connecting Methane detection with notification processes. It is a new initiative to scale up global efforts to detect and act on the major emission sources in a transparent manner, as well as fast-track the operations of the Global Methane Pledge.
MARS was launched at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). It was set up as part of the UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) strategy to get policy-relevant data into the right hands for emissions mitigation. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, a stronger heat-trapping gas than Carbon Dioxide, and adds at least 25% to global warming. Methane emissions of 20%-33% come mostly from the oil and gas industry according to the ECONOMIST.
“Cutting methane is the fastest opportunity to reduce warming and keep 1.5°C within reach, and this new alert and response system is going to be a critical tool for helping all of us deliver on the Global Methane Pledge,” said U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.
MARS will use state-of-the-art satellite data to locate the major emission sources. Beginning with very large point sources from the energy sector, MARS will later integrate data from lower-emitting areas. Gradually, data on smaller sources, such as coal, waste, livestock, and rice will be added.
“We are seeing Methane emissions increase at an accelerated rate,” said Bezos Earth Fund Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Dr. Kelly Levin.
This effort to further diminish Methane emissions descends at a time when the maritime industry is rapidly accelerating its adoption of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) as the main fuel source for maritime vessels. Environmentalists argue that the shipping industry’s preference for LNG contributes to the increase in Methane emissions, while trade groups such as SEA-LNG counter that the newest generation of engines is reducing and eliminating methane slip (i.e., the release of unburnt methane).
“Reducing Methane emissions can make a big and rapid difference as this gas leaves the atmosphere far quicker than Carbon Dioxide. The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is a big step in helping governments and companies deliver on this important short-term climate goal,” said UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen.
“With this initiative, armed with greater data and transparency, companies and governments can make greater strides to reduce Methane emissions, and civil society can keep them accountable to their promises,” said Bezos Earth Fund Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Dr. Kelly Levin.
The data is clear and emissions can now be spotted from satellites. We will need to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, just to keep the world at 1.5°C.
“Fortunately, action on Methane emissions are one of the most cost effective and impactful action a country can take,” said Global Methane Hub CEO, Marcelo Mena.
