Recent findings have revealed a troubling disparity between official estimates and the actual levels of methane emissions in the UK, particularly from the oil and gas sector. A new study suggests that total UK methane emissions from flaring, combustion, processing, venting, and oil and gas transfer could be up to five times higher than the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) estimates. This revelation is even more concerning in light of further analysis by the Green Alliance thinktank, which posits that methane emissions from oil and gas fields could be 11 times higher than reported, and in some cases, up to 70 times greater.
Liam Hardy, a senior policy analyst at Green Alliance, emphasised the severity of these findings, stating, “It has long been suspected that methane emissions from oil and gas operations are higher than reported in official statistics. Now the combination of better modelling and satellite data shows that things are even worse than we thought.” Hardy also highlighted that newly launched satellites would soon provide even more accurate data, enabling the identification of specific sites underreporting their emissions.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing its emissions is crucial in addressing the climate crisis. While the oil and gas industry is a significant contributor, farming also plays a substantial role in the UK’s methane problem. However, farming emissions are largely diffuse and underreported, adding another layer of complexity to the issue.
In response to these findings, a government spokesperson reiterated the UK’s commitment to reducing methane emissions, stating, “Reducing methane emissions is crucial in tackling the climate and nature crisis.” The spokesperson also confirmed that the government does not intend to issue new licences for oil and gas exploration or coal mining, and will maintain the ban on fracking.
The Climate Change Committee has stressed the need to double the pace of recent methane reductions if the UK is to achieve its target of a 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030. The UN Environment Programme further underscores the urgency, stating that a 45% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030 could prevent nearly 0.3°C of warming by 2045.