It's Possible to Achieve Climate Change Goals

Jessica Kennedy | Jul 25, 2013

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a World Energy Outlook Special Report warning the world that current climate change policies are on track to far exceed the goal of limiting temperature rise to 2°C.

The special report, "Redrawing the Energy Climate Map," released in June is a warning to the world that we should expect increasing severe weather, heat waves, and sea level rise as our climate is already showing the signs of increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The IEA's outlook for climate change under currently implemented policies around the world is dismal, but even so, the agency asserts that it is still possible for the world to meet its 2°C goal, but it will take drastic action and international cooperation.

The energy sector is particularly featured in the new report because it accounts for the majority of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. "Despite positive developments in some countries, global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.4% to reach 31.6 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2012, a historic high," the report states. The IEA is pointing out that while emission reduction in countries such as the US are a positive step, there is little impact globally unless there is cooperation among more industrialized and developing countries.

But all may not be lost.

The IEA outlines four energy policies that can still give the world a chance at keeping global temperature rise at the 2°C target limit. The list includes the reduction of methane emissions from the "upstream oil and gas industry." Natural gas, or methane, is the cleanest burning fossil fuel on the planet, but in its pure state methane is a powerful GHG that impacts the climate at several times the power of an equal amount of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Methane is released into the atmosphere in the process of producing oil and natural gas. The IEA reports that about 1.1 Gt (CO2 equivalent) of methane gas were released in 2010, and these emissions were related to the oil and gas industry. Eliminating methane releases from venting and flaring natural gas during production would be an effective method of reducing greenhouse gases alongside CO2 reduction policies. The EIA estimates that if methane emissions are minimized using currently available (and relatively inexpensive) technology, they could be cut in half by 2020.

The report also lists reducing coal-fired power plants, increasing energy efficiency, and phasing out fossil fuel consumption as key factors that could allow the world to reach its 2°C goal. But, with natural gas increasing in use as a lower pollution fuel (when burned) than coal or oil, it is clear that emissions must be slashed considerably during production in order to ensure it is, in fact, a cleaner fuel choice. Curbing methane emissions would only account for about 18% of GHG reduction in the IEA's scenario, but it is an important 18% to reduce.

The methane that seeps into the atmosphere during upstream oil and gas production is natural gas that could be better used as fuel for industry and energy. Tighter restriction on methane leakage is a critical component of responsible and sustainable development; especially as we continually develop energy resources. The IEA warns in its new report of severe consequences related to climate change, and it will take drastic action to avoid such consequences. Ensuring methane stays out of our atmosphere and in our fuel supply is one action that can help keep the world on track for climate change goals, and ensure less of our natural gas is needlessly lost.

Jessica Kennedy
Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc.

Energy Central

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