Overview on global policies and measures to control methane emissions and its implications for China

doi:10.12006/j.issn.1673-1719.2023.121

Abstract

Abstract:

Compared with carbon dioxide, methane has a shorter lifetime and higher global warming potential (GWP) and also acts as a key ingredient of ground-level ozone pollution, so it is of great significance to control its emissions regarding climate change and air pollution mitigation. However, methane emissions are still growing up, in which livestock and oil/gas system are key categories. Regarding emission by parties, it shows a downward trend in Annex I parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change while non-Annex I parties face challenges. The major policies and measures (PaMs) implemented and adopted are regulatory ones (e.g. standards) to control methane emissions, supplemented by market-based measures. In the meantime, voluntary agreement and partnership are critical to find the most cost-effective options. China has achieved effectiveness in methane controlling by bunches of PaMs, as low growing rate of overall emission and even declining in some sectors is observed. Nevertheless, challenges are ahead, including high cost, emission growing induced by structural factors and weak supporting systems. Based on these findings, policy recommendations are raised.

Key words: Methane (CH₄), Emission control, Policies and measures

HUI Jing-Xuan, ZHU Song-Li. Overview on global policies and measures to control methane emissions and its implications for China[J]. Climate Change Research, 2023, 19(6): 683-692.

Figures/Tables 5

Table 1 Atmospheric lifetime and global warming potential (GWP) values at different time scales given in previous IPCC assessment reports of CO2 and CH4

Fig. 1 CH4 emissions by sector in the United States, the European Union and Russia in 1990 and 2021

Fig. 2 CH4 emissions by sector in the latest two national greenhouse gas inventories of China, India, Brazil and Indonesia

Table 2 Comparison of CH4 emission structure and total volume in major economies

Table 3 Synergistic benefits of global CH4 emission control

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