The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt and the Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), Chief Counsel Stephen Gardner have jointly announced the release of the “Methane Abatement for Oil and Gas: Handbook for Policymakers.”
This handbook, sponsored by ENR and developed by CLDP, aims to provide guidance to legislators, ministries, regulators, and national oil company officials on adopting and enforcing legal measures to rapidly reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a short lifespan, and reducing methane emissions is crucial to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and preventing dangerous climate tipping points.
The oil and gas sector offers significant opportunities for cost-effective and technically feasible methane mitigation.
According to the International Energy Agency, over 70 percent of methane emissions in this sector can be reduced using available technology, with nearly half of these reductions achievable at no net cost.
The Departments of State and Commerce encourage government policymakers and regulators to utilize the Handbook and implement its recommendations as part of their efforts to address climate change and achieve energy goals.
The Handbook serves as a valuable resource for understanding the policies, regulations, and best practices that countries can adopt to effectively reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production.
ENR and CLDP also plan to use this guide to expand their foreign technical assistance programs, providing support to countries seeking advisory services for methane abatement initiatives.
