How to establish a right baseline for rigid methane mitigation policies

The next episode of FSR debates in collaboration with Environment Defense Fund Europe will look at methodological issues on baseline methane emissions in the EU and globally. There is a high level of uncertainty today for tracking progress in the mitigation of methane emissions, which means that emissions are still underestimated. It could also hamper further efforts to reduce methane emissions.

The debate will start with the discussion on the current state of methane science with the presentation on methane in the recently published findings of the Working Group I (WGI) contribution to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). Subsequently, the webinar will use two case studies from Romania and Australia to give insight into the issues experienced by the researchers who worked on these projects. In both countries, potential inconsistencies in existing inventories were encountered, and the scientists will discuss their experiences on how measurements can help to improve emission baselines.

In the second session, the discussion will focus on possible solutions. In particular, the key areas for further efforts needed to help underpin this important building block of an effective Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) regime will be discussed.

Guiding questions:

• What is the current state of methane science?
• What can we learn from the measurement campaigns undertaken in Romania and Australia?
• What are the key areas for further research?
• How to ensure that the improved company reporting translates into more robust national GHG inventories?

Host: Andris Piebalgs, Florence School of Regulation

14.00 – 14.05 Welcome

Andris Piebalgs

14.05 – 15.00 Session 1 The current state of methane science

Keynote address: Vaishali Naik | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Thomas Röckmann | Utrecht University

Bryce Kelly | University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) (pre-recorded video) 

15.00 – 15.55 Session 2 Key areas for further research

Steven Hamburg | Environment Defense Fund Europe/IMEO Scientific Committee

Manon Simon | Carbon Limits

Ricardo Bolado-Lavin | Joint Research Center

Keynote remarks: K.C. Michaels | International Energy Agency

15.55 – 16.00 | Conclusion

Dagmar Droogsma | Environment Defense Fund Europe

Read more on measurement campaigns in Australia

Isotopic signatures of major methane sources in the coal seam gas fields and adjacent agricultural districts, Queensland, Australia

Coal seam gas industry methane emissions in theSurat Basin, Australia

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The focus of the debate series hosted by Andris Piebalgs and Christopher Jones is on policy issues to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.