Methane Zero

Australia is a country focused on emissions reduction. A hurdle on our path to zero: Methane.

Methane is believed to account for around one half of the net rise in global average temperature since the pre-industrial era.

What is methane?

is a greenhouse gas. It is more potent than carbon dioxide but stays in the atmosphere for a shorter time.

Methane is emitted by industries like agriculture (including from cow burps), coal, land use and waste, as well as the oil and gas industry.

Reducing methane emissions can result in an important, near-term reduction in the pace of climate change.

Industry Action

The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative’s (OGCI) reason for being is the acceleration of climate action. Members of the OGCI are aiming for net zero methane missions by 2030.

Signatories of the ‘Aiming for Zero’ initiative include Shell, BP, Chevron, Woodside, ENI and ExxonMobil.

The initiative and industry will put in place all reasonable means to avoid methane venting and flaring, and to repair detected leaks, while preserving the safety of people and the integrity of operations.

Signatories to the OGCI report annually and transparently on their methane emissions.

Read more about the OGCI Aiming for Zero initiative here.

Government action

The Global Methane Pledge is a voluntary commitment to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030.

At the upcoming COP27 conference, the Australian Government will sign the pledge and take a significant step on the pathway to net zero.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said partnership with industry was essential to cutting methane emissions.

“The Australian Government will continue to partner with industry to decarbonise the economy and pursue emissions reduction initiatives across energy and waste sectors including capturing waste methane to generate electricity,” he said.

The oil and gas industry welcomed the announcement as a positive step towards net zero.

What does signing the Global Methane Pledge mean?

The Global Methane Pledge has over 100 countries on board.

Participants joining the Pledge agree to take voluntary actions to contribute to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030, which could eliminate over 0.2˚C warming by 2050.

Learn more about methane and emissions reduction:

Why the next generation of rockets will be powered by methane

Methane to Protein

Drink Beer, Reduce Emissions?

Tech vs. Emissions