Forging Collaborations for Sustainable Climate Futures: A Parliamentary Event on Methane Emissions

Methane, the second most significant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide under the Kyoto Protocol, has a climate impact of over 100 times stronger than CO₂ during its roughly 10-year atmospheric lifespan. Major sources include biological processes in anaerobic conditions, such as thawing permafrost, ruminants, wetlands, and landfills, as well as underestimated emissions from fossil fuel extraction (IPCC, 2007). In June 2024, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union introduced a methane regulation that aims to prevent the avoidable release of methane into the atmosphere and minimize methane leaks by fossil energy companies operating within the EU.

To support the national implementation of the European regulation on methane emissions in Germany with evidence-based insights, the Leopoldina, German National Academy of Sciences, and Helmholtz Earth & Environment joined forces to host a parliamentary breakfast on October 17, 2024 at the Bundestag. This initiative aimed to support informed policy decision-making and highlight the importance of reducing methane emissions. Policy recommendations included developing a National Methane Strategy to implement the EU Methane Regulation and meet Global Methane Pledge targets, reducing livestock numbers while promoting plant-based diets, establishing comprehensive methane monitoring systems, utilizing satellite analyses to detect and address large leaks, repairing aging urban gas pipelines, and prioritizing gas imports from suppliers with the lowest upstream emissions (Leopoldina und SynCom, 2024). Together, these measures aim to provide a robust, data-driven approach to significantly reduce methane emissions. The event was accompanied by a factsheet that was published during the event. After the parliamentary breakfast, the exchange continued with e.g., a dialogue of the two research institutions with policymakers and the Federal Environment Agency on emissions reporting and inventory.

The final evaluation of the parliamentary event highlighted the participants' appreciation for the "clearly summarised facts" and the "reference to short-term opportunities for success." The presentations were commended for being "short, clear, understandable," and for offering "concrete possible solutions." Contributions from members of the Bundestag and various parliamentary groups underscored the need for rapid, decisive, and scientifically grounded implementation of the EU Methane Regulation and related national measures to meet climate targets (Leopoldina und SynCom, 2024). The event demonstrated the potential for collaboration between science and politics in advancing effective climate protection.

References

IPCC. (2007). Climate Change 2007 - The Physical Science Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. Cambridge University Press.

Leopoldina und SynCom, H. E. (2024). Die Klimawirkung von Methan ‒ eine unterschätzte Gefahr. Factsheet. doi:https://doi.org/10.48440/leopoldina_syncom.2024.001