Methane Diplomacy

(General Studies III – Environment section – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.)

• Methane is gaining significant attention in global climate discussions due to its potent impact on global warming.
• As nations prepare for the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, methane emissions are set to be a key focus area.
• Dubbed the “Finance COP,” COP29 will bring together world leaders to set new climate finance goals, with methane reduction featuring prominently on the agenda.

The Indian Context –

India is the world’s third-largest emitter of anthropogenic methane, following China and the United States. According to India’s Third Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC (2016 data), the country emitted approximately 409 million tons of CO₂-equivalent methane.

Initiatives Taken by India –

India has implemented several policies and programs to address methane emissions across different sectors:

1. Agriculture Sector:
   • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Promotes climate-resilient farming practices, including methods to reduce methane emissions from paddy fields such as alternate wetting and drying techniques.
   • System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Encourages methods that require less water and reduce methane emissions.
   • National Livestock Mission: Aims to improve livestock productivity while promoting practices that reduce enteric methane emissions, such as better feed management and dietary additives.
2. Waste Management:
   • Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0: Focuses on comprehensive waste management, including the segregation of organic waste to reduce methane emissions from landfills.
   • Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-Dhan) Scheme: Promotes the conversion of cattle dung and solid waste into compost, biogas, and bio-CNG, thus reducing methane emissions and providing clean energy.
   • Model Projects:
     • Indore Biogas Plant: An example of converting organic waste into biogas, fueling city buses and reducing landfill methane emissions.
     • Waste-to-Energy Plants: Encouraging the development of facilities that capture methane from waste decomposition for energy production.
3. Energy Sector:
   • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Initiatives: Implementing measures to detect and repair methane leaks in natural gas infrastructure.
   • Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Extraction: Harnessing methane from coal seams before mining to use as an energy source, thus preventing its release into the atmosphere.
4. Policy and Regulatory Framework:
   • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Under its various missions, it addresses methane emissions indirectly through sustainable agriculture and waste management.
   • India Greenhouse Gas Program: A voluntary initiative to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, across industries.

Way Forward –

To enhance its methane mitigation efforts, India can consider the following strategies:

1. Leverage International Cooperation:
   • Engage in Global Methane Pledge: While India has been hesitant to join due to concerns over agricultural impacts, it can seek flexible terms or sector-specific commitments that align with national interests.
   • Seek Technical and Financial Support: Utilize platforms like COP29 to gain access to international funding, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives focused on methane reduction.
2. Focus on High-Impact Sectors:
   • Waste Management: Scale up successful models like the Indore biogas plant nationwide, improving waste segregation and expanding biomethane production.
   • Agricultural Practices: Promote wider adoption of methane-reducing farming techniques, supported by farmer education and incentives.
3. Enhance Data Collection and Monitoring:
   • Improve Emissions Inventories: Invest in advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite observations, to obtain accurate data on methane emissions, aiding in targeted mitigation.
   • Research and Development: Encourage studies on methane emissions specific to Indian conditions, fostering innovation in mitigation technologies.
4. Policy and Regulatory Measures:
   • Implement Methane-Specific Regulations: Establish guidelines and standards for methane emissions across sectors, with clear targets and compliance mechanisms.
   • Incentivize Private Sector Participation: Provide subsidies, tax benefits, or carbon credits for industries adopting methane reduction technologies.
5. Public Awareness and Education:
   • Stakeholder Engagement: Involve communities, especially in rural areas, to adopt practices that reduce methane emissions.
   • Awareness Campaigns: Highlight the benefits of methane mitigation for public health, air quality, and climate change to garner public support.