Methane

Information relating to Methane

How much methane is released each year?

"This rise has important implications for climate change. Estimates of methane emissions are subject to a high degree of uncertainty, but the most recent comprehensive estimate suggests that annual global methane emissions are around 570 million tonnes (Mt)." (PDF)

"The wasteful leakage of methane, the main component of natural gas, is all the more striking given today’s backdrop of very tight and volatile gas markets. Methane leaks in 2021 from fossil fuel operations, if captured and marketed, would have made an additional 180 billion cubic metres of gas available to the market, an amount similar to all the gas used in Europe’s power sector. This would have been comfortably enough to ease today’s price pressures." (PDF)

180 billion cubic metres methane = 118.26 million tonnes

(180 billion cubic metres of methane gas x 0.657 (weight of methane) = 118.26 billion kg per cubic metre = 118.26 million tonnes (1 tonne - 1,000 kg)

Guardian Article Revealed: 1,000 super-emitting methane leaks risk triggering climate tipping points - MAR23 (PDF)

How many cows in the world?

"According to Stats of 2022, the Number of Cows Worldwide Is Over 1 Billion (US Department of Agriculture, FAO) Of the hundreds of cows or cattle species worldwide, there are an estimated 1 billion cows spread across the world." (PDF)

How much methane via agriculture?

"Researchers have found that 37% of methane emissions from human activity are the direct result of our livestock and agricultural practices." (This is for food, clothing, etc. What is the other 63% used for?) (PDF)

How many farm animals in the world?

"The world's population now exceeds seven billion; in just five years, the number of farm animals reared for food globally has risen from 60 billion a year to just over 70 billion." (PDF)

Hello Hydrogen "We are a group of the UK’s biggest gas networks, boiler manufacturers and energy suppliers who have come together to start you on the hydrogen journey." (PDF)

new Whitby Hydrogen Project "Under these proposals, those who opt in for hydrogen boiler will receive a full package of benefits in recognition of their contribution to the programme. This includes a £2,500 cash payment and brand-new hydrogen appliances, which will be installed and maintained for free for the programme duration. You can also choose whether you go all hydrogen – taking a hydrogen boiler, fire, and cooker – or opt for an electric cooker and/or fire, with hydrogen as your main heating source. Following the programme, we’ll reconnect you to your natural gas supply and install brand-new natural gas appliances in your home, at no cost to you. If you opt out, you will remain on natural gas, transported through a new gas main. We’ll need to come into your property for a few hours on conversion day to check everything’s working safely, during which time there will be an interruption to your gas supply, but otherwise you can continue to use your natural gas appliances as normal. The full details of our proposed offer to you can be found below and we’ve updated our FAQs." (PDF)

Wetlands produce a third of global methane (PDF)

Reports

Global Methane Tracker 2023 (PDF & Graphics)

Energy and the Hydrogen Economy (PDF)

Curtailing Methane Emissions from Fossil Fuel Operations Pathways to a 75% cut by 2030 (PDF)

Driving Down Methane Leaks from the Oil and Gas Industry A regulatory roadmap and toolkit (PDF - Overview)

Oil and Gas Systems Methane: Reducing Emissions, Advancing Recovery and Use (PDF)

Driving Down Coal Mine Methane Emissions A regulatory roadmap and toolkit (PDF)

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