Q+A with Carlos de Regules: Fossil Fuel Methane Regulation in Mexico

Can you tell us about your professional background and how you came to champion the need for methane regulation?

I began work in the fossil fuels sector in Petróleos Mexicanos, as an environmental specialist. Eighteen years later in my career I became Strategic Planning Deputy Director, and was responsible for integrating climate strategy into the company's long term business plan.

In 2014, I was appointed by the President of Mexico to lead the first specialized agency to regulate environmental and safety aspects of Mexico’s oil and gas industry. One of our landmark key efforts was the first methane control regulations in Latin America, published in 2018, which were thereafter used as a reference for methane regulation in other countries.

In 2019 I became a consultant and have been advising companies on regulatory compliance issues, and also governments on methane regulation and control. In particular, I dedicate significant effort to supporting regional efforts in Latin America to tackle methane emissions.

My first-hand experience of achieving significant progress in methane regulation made me see that building a robust methane regulatory framework is doable. The fact that tackling methane emissions in the O&G sector can have an almost immediate effect on slowing the pace of temperature rise inspires me to continue developing regulations across the industry.

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Can you share a moment that deeply impacted you or motivated you to advocate for methane reduction in the fossil fuel sector and support organisations like OLADE?

The first major moment was when we were facing some challenges in our ability to bring industry to the table. Dr. Mario Molina, one of Mexico's Nobel laureates, made a very solid public statement in support of what we were trying to accomplish. It was a powerful endorsement and a clear message that we were not alone in the endeavor. The second moment was when the International Energy Agency adopted the Mexican regulation as a reference in good methane regulation practice. It showed that what we had done was relevant from a global perspective.

Why do you believe targeted methane reductions in the fossil fuel sector are crucial for a just energy transition? Can you also elaborate on the importance of putting robust regulatory frameworks in place to achieve meaningful emissions reductions, drawing from your own experience?

Methane’s potency and short lifespan in the atmosphere is what make it special. This means that a decrease in emissions will almost immediately slow the increase in temperature.

Methane emissions are responsible for 30% of global temperature increase, and the energy sector is the second largest source of methane emissions from human activity.

The IEA estimates that 75% of methane emissions from the energy sector can be abated at no net cost, with technologies and practices that are well known to the industry. Thus, a targeted effort to quickly cut emissions in the energy sector is not only possible and affordable, but is also urgently needed to recover some of the time we have already spent not achieving the required CO2 emissions reduction.

What are the main challenges that developing countries face in addressing policy and regulatory gaps related to fossil fuel methane? How can these challenges be effectively addressed?

There are a few aspects needed to put in place effective methane control policy: 
•    political will is essential, 
•    high-level leadership from beginning to end;
•    a solid internal team with a clear mandate;
•    a robust analytical and best practice framework;
•    the right technical and funding partners;
•    industry engagement; and
•    advocacy supporting efforts.

Can you elaborate on the importance of collaboration between national stakeholders, international organisations, and the private sector?

In my experience in developing Latin America’s first national methane control regulation, cross-sectoral alignment between environment and energy ministries, was a fundamental pre-requisite. The support of international organizations such as CCAC, CATF, and others, increased our ability, and legitimacy, to engage with industry in a transparent way. Think tanks and NGOs were important advocates in the process, especially when it came to public dissemination and socializing the importance of the regulations.

Can you share a specific story or example of how effective fossil fuel regulations have positively impacted a community's health and environment, highlighting the real-life benefits and improvements experienced by the people living there? How do you believe the regulations and policies stakeholders work on today will effect future generations?

I would cite a very interesting case in Ecuador, where the court ruled in favor of indigenous young women and girls that claimed their health and their environment were being affected by the presence of gas flares in the Amazonian region. Indeed, in March 2021, the court ruled to eliminate all gas venting and flaring from O&G operations. In this case, the judiciary decision is leading to enhanced methane control policy and regulation in the country.

It is up to us, the current generations of women and men that inhabit the planet, young, middle aged and old people, to change course from previous generations decisions, and pave the road for a safer world for the next immediate members of our families. We live in an era of increased threats from global catastrophic risks, some of which are more complex than others. In the fight against climate change, tackling methane from the energy sector is, quite frankly, “easy-peasy”, as my daughters would put it. So we should not waste any more time.