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.
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