Methane Emissions and India: Global Initiatives and Local Challenges

• Recently, the COP29 Presidency launched the “Methane Reduction from Organic Waste Declaration.”
• This initiative supports the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) launched at COP26 in 2021.
• The aim is to reduce methane emissions from organic waste and help achieve targets under Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the future.
• India has not signed this declaration.

Global Methane Pledge (GMP)

• Launched at COP26 by the European Union and the United States, the GMP aims to achieve at least a 30% reduction in global methane emissions by 2030.
• It is a voluntary program encouraging all parties to adopt methane reduction measures.

Why Reducing Methane Emissions is Important

1. Major Contributor to Global Warming: Methane (CH₄) has a global warming potential (GWP) ~28 times higher than CO₂. Since the industrial revolution, it has contributed approximately 30% to global warming.
   (Source: IEA, Global Methane Tracker, 2025)
2. Rapid Increase in Atmospheric Methane: Recent observations indicate a three-year record high rise in atmospheric methane levels.
   (Source: WMO, Greenhouse Gas Bulletin)

Measures to Reduce Methane Emissions

At the Global Level:

• EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation)
• AVIRIS-NG (Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation)
• Global Methane Initiative (2004)
• Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

In India:

• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• Direct Seeded Rice Technology
• Crop Diversification Programs
• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR-Dhan) Scheme
• National Livestock Mission

Challenges for India

• Rice Production: Reducing methane emissions may affect the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. India is the largest rice producer and exporter in the world.
• Large Livestock Population: Despite improved feed and management, methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure remain a significant source.

This is why India has not yet joined the GMP.

Conclusion

Effectively reducing methane emissions requires a combination of global and national measures:

• Promote international initiatives
• Improve livestock feed and management
• Adopt circular organic waste management
• Use innovation-based technical solutions, such as low-energy combustion engines and landfill biocovers

Methane reduction is not only an environmental necessity but should also be implemented as a strategy balancing social and economic considerations.