From Commitment to Delivery: Advancing Near-Zero Methane in the Fossil Fuel Sector

1. Opening and desired outcomes 

Purpose: Set the strategic frame and agree what the session needs to produce. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What does success look like by the end of this session? 

• What outputs do we need before COP31, at COP31 and after COP31? 

• How do we ensure that this process delivers on the UNSG’s Call to Action 

Proposed output: Agreement on the session’s core aim: to move from workstream analysis to a delivery pathway. 

2. Where are we now? Stocktake of both workstreams 

Purpose: Establish a shared understanding of current progress, gaps and dependencies. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What do we already know from the marketplace workstream? 

• What do we already know from the shared responsibility workstream? 

• Where are the main evidence gaps, political risks or delivery barriers? 

• What needs to be resolved before the workstreams can produce credible recommendations? 

Proposed output: A short list of key gaps and dependencies that need to be addressed before COP31. 

3. Workstream 1: What is likely to be in the marketplace report? 

Purpose: Anticipate the likely recommendations and test what they mean for the UK and partners. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What are the likely core components of a near-zero methane intensity marketplace? 

• How far is the report likely to go on MRV, data requirements, standards, certification, benchmarks and market signals? 

• Is the report likely to point towards import standards, voluntary standards, procurement signals, certification, or a combination? 

• What would governments need to do to make the marketplace credible without making it feel like a new regulatory regime? 

• What role should companies, certifiers and technical bodies play? 

Proposed output: A working view of the likely marketplace recommendations and what each would require from governments, industry and technical partners. 

4. From marketplace report to COP31 outcome 

Purpose: Translate technical recommendations into a politically credible COP31 package. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What should countries be asked to do at COP31 in response to the report? 

• Should the COP31 output be a set of recommendations, a political declaration, a roadmap, a country action package, or a launch moment for the marketplace? 

• Which countries need to be brought in before COP31 to make the outcome credible? 

• How do we ensure producer countries see the marketplace as an opportunity rather than a compliance burden? 

• What announcements could the UK realistically make at COP31? 

Proposed output: A draft COP31 outcome structure, including possible country asks and announcement options. 

5. COP31 to UK G20: building the implementation pathway 

Purpose: Decide how COP31 outputs can be carried forward into the UK G20 presidency. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What should the UK G20 add that COP31 cannot deliver? 

• Could the G20 provide the political convening function for major importers, producers and companies? 

• What would a practical G20 pathway include: common MRV practices, implementation plans, technical assistance, finance, buyer signals, or pilot projects? 

• How do we avoid the G20 process becoming a technical negotiation? 

• How do we use the G20 to launch the ‘Marketplace’? 

• Is there a role for organisations like MiQ and what are the potential risks? 

Proposed output: Agreement on the role of the UK G20 as the bridge between COP31 recommendations and implementation.  

6. Workstream 2: Operationalising shared responsibility 

Purpose: Move shared responsibility from a principle into a practical delivery model. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What does shared responsibility mean in practice for importer countries? 

• What does it mean in practice for producer countries? 

• What are the building blocks of a support offer: technical assistance, finance, regulatory support, MRV capacity, data systems, industry engagement, or project preparation? 

• How do we link shared responsibility to real emissions reductions rather than general capacity building? 

• What roles are needed to make anticipated recommendations a reality? 

• How can shared responsibility support countries in responding to future marketplace requirements? 

Proposed output: A practical model for shared responsibility, setting out who does what and what support countries could receive. 

7. Developing pilot projects that deliver real emissions reductions 

Purpose: Identify pilot concepts that can demonstrate implementation and build confidence ahead of COP31 and the G20. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What makes a good pilot for this agenda?  

• Which countries or regions are best suited for early pilots? 

• Should pilots focus on oil and gas, coal mine methane, flaring, venting, MRV systems, or regulatory implementation? 

• What partners need to be around the table for each pilot? 

• What would be the emissions reduction outcome, and how would it be measured? 

• How can pilots demonstrate shared responsibility between producers, importers, technical partners and finance providers? 

• Could pilots be used as COP31 announcements or G20 case studies? 

Proposed output: 2 to 4 pilot project concepts, each with a country or regional focus, partners, intervention type, expected outcome and next steps. 

8. Partner roles and governance 

Purpose: Clarify who needs to own which parts of the agenda after the workshop. 

Discussion prompts: 

• Where do we need country leadership rather than technical partner leadership? 

• How should the panel oversee delivery after COP31? 

• What are the next three decisions that need ministerial or senior official steer? 

Proposed output: A simple ownership map across workstream outputs, COP31 preparation, G20 planning and pilot development. 

9. Next steps and immediate actions 

Purpose: End with clear actions rather than a general discussion. 

Discussion prompts: 

• What needs to happen in the next month? 

• What needs to be prepared for the next panel meeting? When will this be? 

• What needs to be tested with countries? 

• What do we need from IEA, CCAC and IMEO? 

• What products do we need: concept note, country engagement plan, pilot template, G20 pathway paper, or COP31 options paper? 

Proposed output: Agreed action plan with owners, products and sequencing.