Methane
China’s surprise visit to US-EU event hints at cooperation on methane
China, the world’s largest methane emitter, is yet to sign a pledge to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas 30% by 2030
Fear of farmer protests hampers methane-cutting ambition
While methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure and landfills are seen as low-hanging fruit, governments are wary of tackling cows
US set to fine oil and gas companies for methane leaks
The fee is thought to be the first in the world and is likely to at least halve the oil and gas sector’s methane leakage rate
China’s coal miners face a challenge to capture leaked methane
China has committed to cut methane emissions in a deal with the US but a lack of robust monitoring and expensive capture technologies are barriers
Global hub launched to help countries slash methane emissions
Chilean ex-minister Marcelo Mena will lead the hub, urging governments to tackle methane from fossil fuel, waste and farming sectors in updated national plans
Over 100 countries join methane pledge but China, India, Australia and Russia stay out
The US and EU got more than a hundred countries on board with a commitment to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030, putting oil and gas sector leakage in the spotlight
Seven countries join US and EU in methane reduction pledge
UK, Indonesia and Mexico are among the first signatories to a pact to cut methane emissions, which can rapidly curb global warming
IPCC report prompts calls to tackle methane emissions at Cop26
Only 13 countries have methane emission targets in their climate plans, despite evidence of the gas’s potent role in global heating
Ocean fire exposes weak regulation of Mexico’s oil and gas sector
After ‘eye of fire’ footage goes viral, Pemex denies its ruptured gas pipe caused environmental damage and campaigners demand an investigation
Infrared images show under-regulated ‘methane crisis’ across Europe
Campaigners found 120 cases of methane leakage and venting from oil and gas infrastructure in seven European countries
Methane emissions from Russian pipelines surged during the coronavirus pandemic
Falling gas prices and a lack of maintenance may have contributed to a 40% increase in the number of methane releases from Russian pipelines in 2020, analysts say
EU considers crackdown on methane leaks from imported oil and gas
An EU methane emissions standard would put pressure on suppliers like Russia and Algeria to stop polluting gas leaks and venting, but proposals lack detail
New Zealand’s farmers have a chance to be climate leaders
A separate target for methane from sheep and cattle has been painted as a sop to farmers; on the contrary, it puts the onus on the sector to curb warming
Simple planting switch could slash rice methane emissions
Traditional growing of rice in flooded fields is bad for the staple crop’s future quality and produces vast amounts of methane greenhouse gas
Largest gas leak in US history leaves 100-year climate legacy
NEWS: Study says vast methane plume boosted California’s methane emissions 20%, and raises questions over US gas drilling regulations
Arctic methane emissions ‘greater’ than previous estimates
NEWS: Methane, a key greenhouse gas, is released from Arctic soils not only in the short summer period but also during the bitterly cold winters
Oil companies register UN climate commitments
NEWS: Plans to tackle potent greenhouse gas emissions uploaded to global portal as oil industry takes first steps towards Paris deal
World Bank sets methane price floor to cut emissions
NEWS: Initiative aims to drive investment in bioenergy and waste management in poor countries, limiting potent greenhouse gas emissions
Obama to slash methane emissions 45% by 2025
NEWS: The White House’s first ever methane rules for the oil and gas industry would help US curb global warming
Obama prepares crackdown on methane emissions
NEWS: New EPA regulations set to address potent powerful gases leaked from oil and gas industries