Events

We are excited to share our participation in the prestigious 2024 Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland. This premier event brought together global leaders to promote actionable strategies for methane mitigation and reduction. Our CEO and Founding Director, Alberto Alva-Argaez, showcased our commitment to sustainability by speaking at the Oil & Gas Joint Technical Session on "Available Tools for Quantifying Emissions." The forum provided a platform to discuss critical topics such as policy frameworks, innovative technologies, and financing strategies driving methane reduction efforts worldwide.

Event Overview

Event: Global Methane Initiative (GMI) Forum
Theme: Mobilizing Methane Action
Date: March 18-21, 2024
Location: Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Hosts: GMI and UNECE, in partnership with the Global Methane Hub and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

The GMI has been a leader in methane action since 2004, forming an international public-private partnership committed to reducing barriers to methane recovery and utilization. The forum focused on three core sectors:

1. Oil and Gas: Promoting methane recovery and use projects.
2. Biogas: Encouraging methane-to-energy projects.
3. Coal Mines: Supporting initiatives for methane recovery and utilization.
   
   

Key Highlights and Insights

The event saw nearly 500 in-person participants, with hundreds more joining online. Attendees included national and international policymakers, country representatives, project developers, and organizations from over 50 countries. They shared successful strategies to reduce methane emissions, aligning with the Global Methane Pledge to cut global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, now supported by 157 countries and the European Union.

Significant Insights:

• According to the IEA, over 75% of methane emissions from oil and gas operations can be abated with existing technology.
• Rick Duke, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, Executive Office of the President of the United States, emphasized that methane reduction is critical for near-term climate goals and achieving the Global Methane Pledge.

Country Reports and Innovations:

• China: Presented policy actions and challenges in methane control, emphasizing the need for improved statistical accounting, monitoring capabilities, and regulatory standards. China's methane emissions control work started late and has a weak foundation, leading to significant gaps compared to developed countries.
• Indonesia: Focused on efforts to reduce methane from the waste sector, which is the largest source of methane emissions in the country.
• Saudi Arabia: Highlighted the Circular Carbon Economy concept and significant reductions in flaring intensity, aiming for zero routine flaring by 2030. Their flare minimization roadmap has identified priorities, plans, and targets for all facilities, resulting in maximized flaring reduction.
• Canada: Showcased its leadership in low-methane production, providing expertise to help other nations catch up.

Technological and Regulatory Advances:

• G3W - Global Greenhouse Gas Watch: Launched by the World Meteorological Organization to integrate surface, aerial, and satellite data for tracking greenhouse gases.
• EU Methane Regulations: New rules requiring operators to measure, report, and mitigate methane emissions, with stringent requirements for natural gas imports starting in 2025. These regulations include obligations for frequent leak detection and repair, a ban on venting and routine flaring, and requirements for complete destruction efficiency in flares.
• US EPA New Methane Rules: Finalized regulations to cut methane emissions sharply from oil and gas operations, leveraging new detection technologies and eliminating routine flaring. The rule aims to reduce methane and other harmful air pollution from new and existing operations, with a focus on routine monitoring and the use of best management practices to minimize emissions.

Financing and Market Mechanisms:

• Internationally Transferrable Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs): Examples like the Swiss Klik Foundation illustrate how financing mechanisms can support global methane reduction efforts. ITMOs facilitate the transfer of emission reduction outcomes between countries, helping them meet their climate goals.

Conclusion

Global efforts to mitigate methane emissions from oil and gas are intensifying, with governments implementing multiple strategies, including financing and taxation. Increasing transparency and data sharing will further facilitate market-driven methane reductions. Canada's leadership and expertise remain vital as the world works towards achieving significant methane emission cuts.

Our participation in the 2024 GMI Forum underscores our dedication to environmental sustainability and our proactive role in global methane reduction initiatives. Through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies, we are committed to contributing to a significant decrease in global methane emissions.