Methane Management in the Extractive Industries

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the climate forcing effect of CO₂. Global atmospheric concentrations of methane have grown nearly 150% from pre-industrial levels and is far above the natural range of the last 650,000 years. Global emissions from human activity are projected to increase another 20% by 2030.

Reducing methane emissions offers significant climate change benefits, especially in the near term, as there is a large reduction potential and cost-effective mitigation technologies are readily available. Achieving a 50% reduction in methane emissions by 2050 and maintaining them through 2100 would reduce global temperatures 0.55⁰C. UNECE has developed best practice guidance related to methane management in the coal, oil, and gas sectors, and UNECE is working with partners to prepare a UNGA declaration of an International Decade for Methane Management. Countries will be invited to support the initiative.

This is a "Cyber Monday" side event of the 69th session of the UNECE.

Speakers

Opening Statement: Ms. Helen Ryan, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Environmental Protection Branch, Environment and Climate Change (Canada) (tbc)

Moderator: Ms. Pamela Franklin, Chief, Non-CO2 Programs Branch, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USA)

Panellists:
  

• Mr. Fiji George, Senior Director, Climate and Sustainability, Cheniere
• Ms. Helena Molin Valdes, Head, Climate & Clean Air Coalition
• Mr.Manfredi Caltagirone, Programme Management Officer, UN Environment
• Mr. Michael Stanley, Global Leader Coal Decarbonization, Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department, World Bank Group