Insights

Hard to measure: how can we improve monitoring of methane emissions?

21 April 2021

The European Commission’s EU strategy to reduce methane emissions published on 14 October 2020 defines as a primary objective “[ensuring] that companies apply considerably more accurate measurement and reporting methodologies for methane emissions, across sectors, than it is currently the case.”

Such an approach is expected to lead to a better understanding of the problem and to guide subsequent mitigation measures. The mandatory measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) for all energy-related methane emissions, based on the voluntary will be one of the main elements of the legislative package expected in Q4 of 2021, with the enactment in 2023.

Any effective strategy to mitigate climate change requires a clear understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their sources. The “MRV” is a technical term, which integrates three autonomous, but related processes: measurement or monitoring (M), reporting (R), and verification (V)[1]. Measurement and monitoring incorporate not only direct physical measurement of GHG emissions but also calculation and modelling of emissions. Reporting refers to a process of aggregating emission data in an inventory or other standardised form, and public disclosure. Verification is a process of regular checks of completeness and reliability of data. The received feedback should be used to continuously improve the data quality and to minimise the uncertainties.

This research looks into the following questions:

What are the main barriers and opportunities related to the establishment of an effective MRV system for methane emissions?
How the policies could support more robust measurement and the reduction of methane emissions?

Moderator: Leonardo Meeus (FSR)

Speakers:

Maria Olczak (FSR)

Paul Balcombe (Queen Mary University of London)

Kate Konschnik (Duke University)

Lucija Muehlenbachs (University of Calgary)

[1] The EU Commission expands the concept of MRV by adding two other elements: integrity and validation (IV).

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Biochar and greenhouse gas removals: what policy framework should the EU adopt?

24 March 2021

The biochar system presents itself as an exceptional negative emissions technology (NET) in that it can readily provide multiple public goods at relatively low cost as well as multiple private goods related to the use of biochar as a soil amendment and other possible uses. Appropriate financial reward of greenhouse gas (GHG) removals, as well as of soil carbon restoration, would likely propel the diffusion of the biochar system. But which policy instruments should be used to reward GHG removals produced by the biochar system and other NETs? Arguably, setting specific targets for emission reductions and for removals, rather than aggregate targets for net emissions, would help address this question as well as avert the risk of delaying either emission reductions or removals.

In this online event hosted by Leonardo Meeus, we will discuss how the EU should incentivise GHG removals with a view to its long-term climate mitigation targets. The biochar system as a NET provides a useful case for reflecting on this question.