Submission to the inquiry into accelerating reductions in fossil methane emissions

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of around 12 years. Fugitive emissions of fossil methane from the coal and gas sectors released through leaks, venting and flaring, come from a relatively small number of concentrated emitters.

Therefore, methane abatement remains one of the fastest and most effective opportunities to deliver near-term climate benefits. Deep reductions in methane emissions would result in a lower peak warming temperature than the equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide. Roughly 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels can be abated with existing technology. Australia’s current challenge is to incentivise the uptake of these abatement measures and develop technologies to abate the last 30%. Measures that improve greater regulatory consistency across jurisdictions, enhance emission data transparency and invest in emerging technologies for methane reduction would therefore support Australia’s emissions reduction goals.

Read about the Climate Change Authority's Fossil methane reduction project.

ATSE recommendations

Recommendation 1: Develop a centralised near-real-time methane platform.

Recommendation 2: Develop a national regulatory framework that mandates regular methane leak detection and repair (LDAR) nationwide.

Recommendation 3: Increase investment in research and development for emerging methane monitoring and abatement technologies.