IEA Global Methane Tracker 2023: the energy sector emitted 135 million tonnes of methane, many reductions possible

On 21 February 2023 the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the Global Methane Tracker 2023 report. Estimates show that in 2022 the energy sector, oil, gas, coal and bioenergy, emitted about 135 million tonnes of methane, i.e. about 40% of all methane emissions of human origin. The agency stresses that a significant part of these emissions can be reduced using available technologies, and a large part of the reductions has a low or zero net cost. For the biogas industry the report is a reminder that installation tightness and control of methane leakage are part of every gas chain.

What is changing

The report is an annual review of methane emissions in the energy sector. It contains estimates at national and regional level, an assessment of reduction potential and a cost analysis. Among the main sources of emissions it lists leaks from oil and gas infrastructure (including flaring and venting of gas), methane drainage of coal mines and certain bioenergy processes. The agency indicates that most reductions can be achieved through leak detection and repair, replacement of pneumatic devices and gas capture.

The report appears at a time when the EU is negotiating a regulation on methane in the energy sector, and the USA and other leaders support the Global Methane Pledge. The IEA argues that reducing methane is one of the fastest ways of slowing warming and, during a gas crisis, additionally increases the amount of gas available to the market.

Significance for the industry in Poland

Poland is one of the European hard coal producers and has a gas system supplied by imports. Methane rules will therefore affect both mining and the gas sector. From the biogas point of view, the conclusions are as follows:

• tightness and methane measurement are becoming a market requirement, not just a regulatory one,
• biomethane of high quality and a low carbon footprint becomes attractive to customers who must report emissions,
• biogas and upgrading installations should look after leak monitoring (biogas holders, compressors, desulphurisation and degassing systems).

From the policy point of view it is also important that biogas producers capture methane from feedstocks that, without fermentation, would emit it into the atmosphere: manure, slurry, biowaste and sludge.

How to count emissions and why sources differ

Estimates of methane emissions differ between sources: reports based on data reported by countries may be lower than those resulting from satellite measurements. The IEA combines both approaches and gradually raises accuracy. This is important for new regulations: if measurements become widespread, companies will be held to account for actual emissions. For the biogas industry this means that a well-documented, tight process may become an asset in dealings with customers and regulators.

What next

Work on the EU methane regulation is entering the decisive phase. For renewable gas producers the provisions on measurement, reporting and requirements for suppliers will matter, as they may become a model for renewable gases too.