This new satellite program, called the “Methane alert and response system” (MARS), was announced by UN-Environment on the occasion of the international climate conference in Egypt (COP27).
The UN unveiled on Friday a new detection and alert system from space in an attempt to stem emissions of methane, a gas with a very powerful warming power. This new satellite program, dubbed the “Methane alert and response system” (MARS), was announced by UN-Environment on the occasion of the major climate conference in Egypt. It will be the “first global and public system capable of transparently linking methane detection to a notification process”, explains the UN agency.
Concretely, satellites will be able to identify large leaks of this gas, and governments and companies will be notified immediately so that they can act quickly. They will also be able to benefit from advice on how to solve the problem. Methane (CH4) is 25 times more powerful in capturing solar radiation than CO2 over a 100-year period, and scientists estimate that it is responsible for at least a quarter of current global warming. But its lifespan in the atmosphere is much shorter than that of CO2 – 12 years versus centuries – so reducing its emissions might bring quick results. About half of methane emissions are linked to human activity, particularly the oil and gas industry and agriculture.
At COP26 in Glasgow last year, countries voluntarily pledged to reduce emissions of this gas by at least 30% by 2030, which should avoid 0.2°C of warming on the horizon. 2050. The commitment, signed today by 130 countries, includes the United States and the European Union, in particular, but not Russia. “Transparency is a vital part of the solution to solving the methane problem, and this new system will help producers detect leaks and stop them without delay if and when they occur,” said Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The NGOs are also expecting a joint declaration by the European Union and the United States during COP27 to launch an initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions from the main oil and gas consuming and exporting countries.
According to the NGO network Climate action network, this will be a commitment to put in place “robust measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification measures”, but without legal obligation or real novelty. A European source confirmed that the Twenty-Seven would soon sign this commitment, which provides that producers and importers of fossil fuels “redouble their efforts to get rid of emissions associated with their drilling and transport”.
Sami Nemli with agencies / Les Inspirations ECO
