Zeroing in on methane diplomacy, at COP29
Source: The Hindu
For Prelims:
COP29 and Global Climate Finance
- COP29 Location and Theme: COP29 will take place from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, and is being referred to as the “Finance COP” due to its focus on setting a new global climate finance goal, the “new collective quantified goal” (NCQG).
- Methane’s Climate Impact: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times that of CO₂ over a 100-year period and 84 times more potent over 20 years, contributing to 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times.
U.S.-China Methane Partnership
- U.S. and China’s Role: Despite political tensions, the U.S. and China have prioritized non-CO₂ emissions and methane reduction, sponsoring a methane summit at COP28 in 2023.
- China’s National Plan: In November 2023, China released its first national methane control plan, focusing on capacity building rather than setting specific targets, indicating the country’s commitment to methane reduction.
India’s Methane Emissions
- India’s Methane Sources: India is the third-largest methane emitter globally, with 409 million tons of CO₂-equivalent methane emitted in 2016, primarily from agriculture (74%), waste (14%), and energy sectors.
- Barriers to the Global Methane Pledge: Due to the high contribution of agriculture to methane emissions, India has refrained from joining the Global Methane Pledge, which targets a 30% methane reduction by 2030.
Waste Management and Agriculture Initiatives
- Waste Management Programs: India’s Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 includes initiatives like the GOBARdhan scheme and organic waste processing to reduce methane emissions.
- Agricultural Practices: Through the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and National Livestock Mission, India promotes climate-resilient agriculture and livestock management to minimize methane emissions.
For Mains:
GS II: International Relations – Climate Diplomacy and COP29
Highlights of the Editorial:
- COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan): COP29 is set to advance the global climate finance goal and emphasize methane reduction as a key short-term lever for climate action.
- U.S.-China Methane Partnership: This alliance promotes collaboration beyond CO₂ emissions, providing a template for cooperation on methane reduction.
- India’s Waste Management Initiatives: Programs like Indore’s biomethane plant and the GOBARdhan scheme showcase sustainable waste management approaches that can be scaled with international support.
- Agriculture Sector Challenges: Methane reduction in agriculture remains a priority but faces obstacles due to India’s reliance on rice and livestock farming
Context:
This analysis underscores India’s methane management approach within the broader COP29 discussions. The editorial highlights how global climate diplomacy on methane could facilitate India’s path to targeted international assistance for its waste and agriculture sectors, supporting the country’s climate goals without hindering agricultural productivity.
UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS
1.Significance of COP29 and Methane Diplomacy
- The upcoming COP29, held in Baku, presents an important opportunity for global climate finance and methane reduction. The NCQG will be a decisive factor in accelerating climate action by ensuring financial resources for mitigation and adaptation. Methane’s high global warming potential makes it a priority for near-term climate stabilization.
- The focus on methane reduction is led by efforts from major emitters like the U.S. and China, who are actively working to control non-CO₂ emissions. For India, COP29 holds particular importance in accessing targeted international funding to support methane abatement in sectors like waste management.
| The joint U.S.-China focus on methane provides a diplomatic opening for India to seek targeted financial and technical assistance. Given the limited scope of India’s waste management capabilities, the U.S.-China methane alliance allows India to bolster its capacity in methane mitigation within waste management without compromising its agricultural interests. |
2. India’s Domestic Methane Reduction Efforts
- India has developed a regulatory framework for waste management, although implementation remains a challenge due to limited local capacity. The success of Indore’s organic waste management model and the GOBARdhan scheme are important initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission. These programs reduce emissions while supporting rural livelihoods and clean energy.
- Agricultural emissions are addressed through the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), where the focus is on water-saving rice cultivation techniques and livestock management practices that reduce methane. Scaling up these initiatives is critical, as agriculture contributes significantly to India’s methane emissions
3.Waste management Plan
- The Indian government has established a comprehensive regulatory structure for waste management, though local implementation remains challenging due to limited capacity. Efforts are underway to broaden innovative solutions across the nation.
- A successful example is Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where a citywide system for sorting organic waste is paired with a large biomethane facility that generates fuel for public buses.
- Additionally, the government’s Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme supports the use of cattle waste for clean energy in rural areas. These initiatives are part of the larger Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, aimed at enhancing solid waste management.
- However, scaling organic waste management nationwide requires more robust support for cities. In agriculture, climate-resilient practices are being encouraged under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), including methods to reduce methane emissions in rice farming.
- Similarly, the National Livestock Mission promotes techniques like green fodder cultivation, silage production, and chaff cutting to reduce livestock methane emissions
4. US-China and Methane
- COP29 presents a strategic moment for India’s focus on methane reduction. The U.S.-China partnership on methane, though less extensive than previous collaborations, offers India an opportunity to seek targeted support for its methane reduction initiatives.
- India could use the U.S.-led focus on methane to secure financial and capacity-building resources to curb emissions from the waste sector, which accounts for over 14% of its methane output.
- According to India’s 2016 inventory, waste sources contribute about 4% of national methane emissions; however, poor data quality, including emission factors and waste volume estimates, has led to underreporting.
- Satellite data for cities like Delhi and Mumbai indicates emission levels 50%-100% higher than typical estimates, with dumpsites contributing over a quarter of Mumbai's greenhouse gas emissions.
- While methane may not dominate the COP29 agenda, it provides India with a valuable chance to accelerate its mitigation efforts. India has already laid essential groundwork through its current policies and initiatives, setting a foundation to build on with international assistance
5. Conclusion
However, to effectively scale up the implementation of proven technological solutions worldwide, India now requires targeted international support in financing, capacity building, and technical assistance. By leveraging the U.S.-China methane partnership and proactively seeking this support at COP29, India can tap into the resources needed to accelerate its progress in methane abatement
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Mains Practice Questions
1.Methane emissions are a significant contributor to global warming, yet they are often overshadowed by CO₂ in climate agendas." Discuss the importance of methane reduction for near-term climate action and evaluate how India can leverage international cooperation at COP29 to strengthen its methane mitigation efforts.
2.Describe the challenges India faces in implementing waste management reforms to reduce methane emissions. How can international partnerships help address these challenges, especially in the context of the COP29 agenda?
3.Explain the sector-specific challenges and opportunities in India’s approach to methane reduction, particularly in agriculture and waste management. What are the policy changes and technological interventions needed to achieve significant reductions in these sectors?
4.Analyze how India can benefit from the U.S.-China partnership on methane emissions. How could this collaboration aid India in securing support for methane reduction initiatives, and what specific areas should India prioritize?
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