Beijing: China will see methane emissions in major industries, including coal mining, agriculture and petroleum, and publish the planned action of the National Methane emissions control, said the Ministry of Environment on Thursday.
China and the United States, two largest greenhouse gas emites in the world, launched an agreement earlier this month to increase cooperation overcoming climate change, including by cutting methane emissions.
“The formulation of methane action plans is …
an important work of China’s active response to climate change strategies, and important steps to implement the declaration with Sino-as,” Lu Xinming, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Ecology and the Environment (MEE), said news direction.
Methane is emitted during energy production, raising livestock and decay of organic waste in landfills.
It is more short-lived in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide but 80 times stronger in warming the earth.
Chinese methane emissions are 55.29 million tons in 2014, accounting for 10.4% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the country, the latest official data has revealed.
The energy sector contributed 45% of methane discharge while agriculture contributed 40%.
“We will launch a thorough research on the control situation of Chinese methane emissions, and establish effective emissions reduction measures targeting coal mining, agriculture, solid waste and wastewater treatment, as well as the petroleum and natural gas sector,” Lu said.
Lu also said Mee would set a standard for the reduction and utilization of methane emissions in the coal and petroleum industry, and would encourage the company to cut methane emissions through market trade.
China has a carbon emission trade platform, but not one for methane.
Mee did not reveal the time frame and detailed target of the national methane reduction plan.
But a Mee official, who refused to be identified because he was not authorized to speak with the media, said the plan was scheduled to be published in 2022.
Some Chinese oil and gas companies, such as China National Petroleum Corp and Sinopec, have set them their own targets on cutting Emissions of methane.