Climate change and methane. What is the link? We often associate “global warming” and climate change with carbon dioxide (CO2). However, other greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as methane also contribute to climate change, coming in second after CO2 and being responsible for an estimated third of the current warming.
Methane is also problematic in that its “global warming potential” (GWP) is significantly higher than that of carbon dioxide, especially on a shorter time scale. According to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, methane’s global warming potential over 20 years is 82,5 times higher than carbon dioxide and 29,8 times higher over 100 years. However, it also has a shorter average “lifespan” in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, at around 10-12 years versus hundred of years for carbon dioxide.
Monitoring and reducing methane emissions is therefore not only fundamental given its high global warming potential, but also because of its shorter lifespan, reducing methane emissions will have a quicker impact on slowing global warming. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) estimated that if anthropogenic methane emissions are reduced by 45% by 2030, nearly 0.3°C of global warming could be avoided by 2045.
Given the high importance of curbing methane emissions, the recently adopted EU regulation on the ‘reduction of methane emissions on the energy sector”, and the key role that EO-based observations are playing in the monitoring of methane emissions, we are revisiting this topic with a previous EOcafe guest, Meghan Demeter (MARS Programme Manager, UNEP-IMEO).
Launched at COP27 in November 2022, the UNEP-IMEO’s Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) has now been fully operational for about one year, following a pilot phase in 2023. MARS is the first global satellite detection and notification system providing actionable data on very large methane emissions around the world. It is responsible for detecting and monitoring methane emissions and notifying the relevant members states and relevant sector-specific initiatives such as the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) who will then take measures to mitigate the emissions.
As UNEP-IMEO and the MARS programme gear up for COP29, where they will launch their annual report and a revised data platform, join our host Geoff Sawyer (EARSC Strategic Advisor and former Secretary General) and Meghan Demeter (MARS Programme Manager, UNEP-IMEO) to revisit all things methane-related, understand how the MARS initiative has evolved and success stories so far, how they work and what data they may need, as well as how to get involved and what the industry and EO community at large should be aware of.
Some questions that could be addressed during this EOcafe include:
- What is UNEP-IMEO? And what is the MARS initiative?
- How does the MARS initiative work? Who is involved and what are their roles?
- What role does EO-based data play in monitoring methane emissions?
- What types of methane emissions are monitored by the MARS initiative (energy, agriculture, etc.)? And will this evolve?
- How can industry support the initiative? And which additional key stakeholders should the industry be aware of?
- What are the current key trends and data needs linked to methane monitoring and detection?
- How is the new EU regulation linked to UNEP-IMEO’s work? And how does it impact (if at all) the MARS initiative? How does the EU collaborate with UNEP-IMEO?
- What should EARSC members and the EO community be particularly aware of moving forward?
Registration: The webinar is open to all. Registration is free but compulsory.
Please note this is a virtual event!
EOcafe is part of a series of EARSC meetings that offer timely, relevant, and practical information on a broad variety of topics related to the EO sector. Join us every two weeks to discuss and network while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.
IMPORTANT NOTES!!!
- The use of a video camera is not mandatory but is encouraged to facilitate better interaction between the attendees and the guest speaker(s).
- The EOcafe will stay open after 17:00 in case our guests want to continue the discussion.
- By registering for this event, you accept the terms and conditions (https://earsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EARSC_Events_GDPR.pdf).
If you have any questions, and/or you want to know more about the EOcafe, and/or you want to share an idea about a future EOcafe, please contact Tanya Walker (tanya.walker@earsc.org).