Why is it in the news?
- A groundbreaking study utilized satellite data, including NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) and the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P TROPOMI, to identify methane emission hotspots across India.
Key Findings
- The study revealed an increase in methane emissions over various urban centres in India, indicating the presence of methane point sources.
- Methane emissions were found to contribute significantly to India’s carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 43% of the total emissions in the country.
- Among the identified hotspots, notable locations include a sewage outlet in Central Mumbai, Ahmedabad’s Pirana landfill, and Surat’s Khajod landfill, highlighting areas with high methane concentrations.
| About Methane
· Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO2) over a 100-year period. · It ranks as the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2 and is categorized as a Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP), exerting an immediate and intense warming effect on the atmosphere. Sources of Methane: · Approximately 20% of India’s anthropogenic methane emissions originate from solid waste and landfills, highlighting the significance of waste management in methane mitigation efforts. · Leakage from natural gas, oil and gas fields, and oil refineries contributes to methane emissions, emphasizing the importance of controlling fossil fuel extraction and processing activities. · Methane emissions from agriculture stem from enteric fermentation in livestock rearing and rice cultivation, indicating the need for sustainable agricultural practices. · Other sources include wetlands and industrial activities such as textile production. Initiatives to Reduce Methane Emissions Global Initiatives: · UNEP Global Methane Initiative: Aims to advance cost-effective methane abatement strategies through international cooperation and knowledge sharing. · Global Methane Pledge: Seeks to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. However, India has not signed this pledge. India’s Initiatives: · Gobar Dhan Scheme: Promotes the conversion of organic waste into resources, reducing methane emissions from waste decomposition. · National Biogas and Manure Management Program: Facilitates the capture and utilization of methane emissions from organic waste sources, promoting sustainable waste management practices across the country. |
