Regulating Fossil Fuel Methane a Clear Win for Latin America & the Caribbean

"Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has a warming effect 86 times stronger than CO2 over 20 years, making it a critical focus for climate action. Latin America is leading by example in addressing this urgent challenge," said Juan Bello, Regional Director and representative of UNEP for Latin America and the Caribbean. "With the Regional Action Plan on Air Quality 2022-2025, the region is committed to reducing not only methane but also black carbon and other air pollutants, demonstrating that solutions are within reach and can be implemented at no net cost with existing technology." 

Major oil-producing nations around the world are recognizing this and moving to regulate fossil fuel methane emissions, as well as include emission reductions as essential elements of their NDCs. More than 70 per cent of fossil fuel methane emissions reduction measures can be implemented at no net cost and be done with existing technology.  

Countries from the region are committed to improve air quality as well as reduce carbon, methane and other air pollutants according to the Regional Action Plan on Air Quality 2022-2025 which was developed within the framework of the Intergovernmental Network on Atmospheric Pollution. The Plan came to fruition in response to the priorities established by the Forum of Ministers of Environment in the region.

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) has supported countries including Mexico and Colombia to regulate fossil fuel methane, catalysing a growing movement among other countries in the region, such as Argentina. These countries’ experiences have demonstrated the key elements needed in any successful regulatory process, including continuous high-level leadership; a clear internal mandate; a robust analytical and best practice framework; the right technical and funding partners; industry engagement; and advocacy support from non-government actors.  
 

As mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) is not mandated by any international treaty, mitigating pollutants such as methane comes from voluntary initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and reflects a country’s recognition that there are many benefits to be gained from mitigating methane. This is unlike the waste and agriculture sectors, where emissions sources are more diffuse, and have more complex funding requirements. Action on methane in agriculture in the region is being led by Brazil, which is working on nation-wide systems to mitigate agricultural waste emissions and those from enteric fermentation. Action on methane from organic waste is occurring continent-wide, with milestone projects proving the feasibility of mitigation measures in Peru, Costa-Rica, and Argentina.  

The process of assessing and planning for methane mitigation requires complex analytical tools and diverse stakeholder engagement across government institutions and the private sector to gather and assess the required data. The growing range of tools and resources available has however brought down the cost and complexity of regulating fossil fuel methane. These include the International Energy Agency’s marginal cost of abatement curve, and the Clean Air Task Force’s Country Methane Abatement Tool (CoMAT), as well as the CCAC’s Methane Roadmap Action Programme.  These tools contribute to providing regulating authorities with both a science-based framework and internationally proven data sets to justify clear action on fossil fuel methane. The CCAC has also launched a Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme which provides tailored support to developing countries governments for capacity development, regulatory frameworks, and compliance.

Beyond technical resources, policy specialists know that from the government’s side high-level political leadership must combine with relevant experience within government institutions, and a clear internal mandate to make the regulatory process as smooth as possible. When these factors aligned in Mexico in 2020, when the government was able to enact comprehensive methane regulations in less than one year. In Colombia, methane regulation formed part of broader SLCP planning beginning in 2015, even before the NDC system was finalized in Paris.   

Both countries also saw first-hand how important it was to make regulating fossil fuel methane a trusted and transparent process. Colombia held consultations between the government and the public, including through public consultations on their NDC, while Mexico benefitted greatly from engaging NGOs and advocacy groups to raise awareness about the importance of regulating fossil fuel methane.  

The development of fossil fuel methane regulations in Mexico and Colombia have been hailed as best-practices by the IEA and by technical experts working on the next round of NDC updates, respectively. Such success stories strengthen the case for regulating fossil fuel methane while helping foster financial and legal changes. Banks and investors expect to find climate resilience and mitigation actions in operations they fund, while in countries like Ecuador, recent court rulings in favor of indigenous women and girls whose health and environment are being affected by the presence of gas flares in the Amazonian region have been decreed.

As Latin America continues to lead by example, there is an urgent need for other regions to adopt similar regulatory frameworks. UNEP stands ready to support these efforts through continued partnership and knowledge sharing.