India’s Methane Diplomacy at COP29: Opportunities for Emission Reduction and Climate Financing

India’s Methane Diplomacy at COP29: Opportunities for Emission Reduction and Climate Financing

Sub : Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Why in News

India’s focus on methane reduction has gained attention ahead of COP29, set to take place from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Dubbed the “Finance COP,” COP29 will feature discussions on a new global climate finance target, including the “new collective quantified goal” (NCQG). Methane’s significant impact on climate change has put it at the forefront, creating new diplomatic opportunities for countries like India to pursue targeted assistance and capacity-building support in methane abatement.

Context of COP29 and the NCQG:

Date: Scheduled for November 11-24, 2024

Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

It follows COP28 held in Dubai, UAE, in 2023, which saw significant discussions on the phase-out of fossil fuels and the operationalization of the loss and damage fund.

COP29, organized under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will convene leaders and delegates from across the world.

A key focus of COP29 is determining a new annual climate finance target—called the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

The NCQG is intended to set a new global climate finance target for developed countries to support developing nations in their climate action efforts. It’s meant to succeed and expand upon the previous goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020, which was established at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Conference.

The host country aims to boost battery storage, improve electricity grids, and reduce methane emissions from organic waste.

Role of Methane in Global Warming

Methane accounts for about 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times, with concentrations rising sharply.

Global Warming Potential: Methane’s warming effect is 28 times greater than CO₂ over a 100-year period and 84 times more potent over a 20-year period.

Due to its potency, cutting methane emissions offers a rapid and effective way to reduce short-term global temperature rise while efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions continue.

Methane, the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after CO2, is significantly more potent, having a global warming potential 28 times greater than CO2 over a century and even higher over two decades.

Its sources include cattle-farming, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, rice cultivation, and some industrial processes.

Energy, agriculture and waste sectors are the primary emitters of methane, responsible for 30 per cent of the earth’s warning.

It is only recently that policymakers have started to prioritize methane in global warming discussions.

This shift was highlighted at the 2021 U.N. climate talks where the ‘Global Methane Pledge’ was introduced, aiming to reduce methane emissions to slow global warming.

New research has revealed that the primary source of atmospheric methane is microbes, rather than the burning of fossil fuels, indicating an evolving understanding of methane’s sources and impacts.

India’s Position on Methane Emissions:

India ranks as the third-largest emitter of anthropogenic methane, following China and the U.S.

Source Breakdown: According to India’s Third Biennial Update Report to the UNFCCC, methane emissions were dominated by:

• Agriculture (74%)
• Waste (14%)
• Energy (11%)
• Industrial Processes (1%)

Challenges:

Agricultural Dependence: Agriculture, especially livestock and rice cultivation, accounts for the majority of India’s methane emissions, creating resistance to economy-wide methane reduction targets.

Global Methane Pledge: India has not signed this U.S.-EU-led initiative aiming to cut global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, partly due to the economic reliance on agriculture.

Waste Management Initiatives:

Indore’s Model: Indore city has implemented a system for organic waste sorting, paired with a biomethane plant producing fuel for public transport.

GOBARdhan Scheme: This national initiative promotes bioenergy production from cattle waste, aligning with clean energy goals.

National Livestock Mission: Techniques like green fodder cultivation and improved animal feeding practices are supported to reduce methane emissions from livestock.