India’s Path to Methane Mitigation: Strategic Considerations for COP29

Introduction

• COP29 Summit: From November 11 to 22, 2024, the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Primary Agendas:
  • Establishing a new global climate finance goal known as the new collective quantified goal (NCQG).
  • A strong focus on methane diplomacy, emphasizing methane reduction as a central climate action due to methane’s potent impact on global warming.
• Methane’s Role in Climate Change: Responsible for 30% of global warming since the pre-industrial era, methane has become a priority in climate discussions.

Background

1. Methane’s Environmental Impact:
   • High Warming Potential: Methane’sglobal warming potential (GWP) is 28 times that of CO₂ over a 100-year period and 84 times over a 20-year period.
   • Immediate Impact: Due to its potent short-term effect, methane reduction is seen as a quick win in curbing warming trends.
2. Historical Global Cooperation:
   • COP28 Outcomes: At COP28,China and the U.S. set a precedent for methane reduction collaboration, addressing non-CO₂ gases.
   • China’s Methane Plan: China’s release of anational methane control plan demonstrates a global shift towards concrete methane control strategies.
3. India’s Position in Global Methane Emissions:
   • Third-Largest Emitter: India ranks third globally in methane emissions, giving it a significant role in methane diplomacy.
   • Economic and Agricultural Constraints: India is cautious about adopting strict methane reduction targets due toagriculture’s dominant role in its emissions profile, especially from livestock and rice cultivation.

Present Status of Methane Emissions and Management in India

1. Global Context:
   • S.-China Partnership: Following COP28, the U.S.-China collaboration emphasizes methane reduction, placing methane at the forefront of climate diplomacy and motivating other countries to strengthen methane mitigation.
2. India’s Methane Emissions Profile:
   • Emissions Data: In2016, India’s methane emissions were reported at 409 million tons of CO₂-equivalent.
   • Sectoral Contributions:
     • Agriculture: 74%, mainly from livestock and rice cultivation.
     • Waste Management: 14%.
     • Energy Sector: 11%.
     • Industrial Processes: 1%.

3. Local Challenges in Methane Emission Management:
   • Waste Fires: Instances like theBhalswa landfill fire in Delhi (2022) reveal severe environmental and health hazards tied to methane from waste.
   • Underreported Emissions: Cities likeDelhi and Mumbai often have methane emissions that are underestimated, complicating policy and action.

Government Initiatives for Methane Reduction

1. Waste Management Efforts:
   • Regulatory Framework: India has establishedwaste management regulations, yet faces issues in implementation due to limited local governance and infrastructure.
   • Innovative City Models:
     • Indore: The city developed anorganic waste sorting system linked to a biomethane plant that supplies fuel for public transportation.
   • GOBARdhan Scheme:
     • Part ofSwachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, GOBARdhan promotes biogas production from cattle waste in rural areas, aiming to reduce methane from animal husbandry.

2. Agricultural Sector Initiatives:
   • National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA):
     • NMSA promotesclimate-resilient farming methods, aiming to reduce methane emissions, especially in rice cultivation.
   • National Livestock Mission:
     • Focuses ongreen fodder production and efficient feeding practices to mitigate methane from livestock.

International Best Practices in Methane Mitigation

1. United States:
   • Comprehensive Strategy: The U.S. utilizes robust methane abatement strategies, includingregulations for oil and gas leaks and investments in methane-reduction technologies.
2. European Union:
   • Strict Monitoring and Policies: The EU enforces methane monitoring and reduction regulations acrossagriculture and waste management, setting an example for effective methane management.
3. China:
   • National Control Plan: In 2023, China introduced anational methane control plan that prioritizes capacity building over specific reduction targets, indicating an evolving commitment to methane reduction.

Challenges in India’s Methane Mitigation Efforts

1. Agricultural Dependency:
   • High Methane Intensity: Indian agriculture, especiallylivestock and rice production, is highly methane-intensive, making nationwide targets challenging and sensitive due to socio-economic impacts.
2. Data Gaps:
   • Inaccurate Emission Reporting: Methane emission data is often unreliable, with satellite data indicating emissions fromurban waste sites in cities like Mumbai are higher than reported.
3. Capacity Constraints:
   • Municipal Limitations: Inadequateinfrastructure and resources at the municipal level hamper effective waste management and methane mitigation.
4. Financing:
   • Limited Climate Finance: India faces barriers in accessinginternational climate finance and technical assistance necessary for large-scale methane reduction initiatives.

Opportunities and Strategic Leverage at COP29

1. Methane Diplomacy and U.S.-China Partnership:
   • TheS.-China methane alliance provides India an opportunity to seek sector-specific international support for methane mitigation in agriculture and waste.
2. Focus on Waste Management:
   • By prioritizingwaste sector improvements, India could secure financing and technical assistance for methane capture projects, crucial for urban methane control.
3. Agricultural Innovations:
   • Targeted support can facilitate methane-reducing methods, such asalternative wetting and drying in rice cultivation, promoting climate-friendly practices.

Way Forward for India

1. Building Local Capacity:
   • Strengthen Municipal Systems: Enhance local capacity throughtraining programs and technological upgrades to improve waste management and methane reduction.
2. Improving Data Collection:
   • Data Accuracy: Invest in advanced data-gathering methods, includingsatellite monitoring, to enable accurate methane tracking and informed policymaking.
3. Scaling Successful Models:
   • Replicate Effective Models: Expandwaste-to-energy models like Indore’s biomethane plant to other urban areas, enhancing methane capture and utilization.
4. Active Participation in Methane Diplomacy:
   • COP29 Engagement: Utilize COP29 as a platform to advocate forsector-specific support for methane reduction, leveraging the growing international methane diplomacy.
5. Investing in Research and Development:
   • Agricultural Research: Promote R&D in methane-reduction technologies for agriculture, and incentivizefarmers to adopt sustainable practices.

Conclusion

Methane reduction is essential in global climate action. India, as a major methane emitter, has both challenges and strategic opportunities in methane diplomacy. Leveraging partnerships like the U.S.-China alliance and actively engaging at COP29 will allow India to accelerate methane reduction while securing necessary support.

By scaling proven solutions, improving data accuracy, and enhancing local capacities, India can significantly contribute to global climate stability and align with broader climate goals.

MAINS QUESTION

Analyze the role of methane diplomacy in international climate negotiations. How can India leverage methane diplomacy to address its climate challenges while safeguarding its agricultural sector?