|
Finding ways to expand the practice of capturing and harnessing the power of methane gas is an important ingredient of Canada's climate change strategy.
Canadians don't have to look far to find opportunities for capturing previously emitted methane emissions for use as green energy. One example is the Integrated Audits of Upstream Oil and Gas Facilities which were carried out on 17 facilities over a three year period by the Western Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation. These audits have reduced energy use by up to 15 per cent, with an estimated CO2 emissions reduction of 20 per cent and a total cost savings of $14 million dollars over the 17 facilities. If the energy savings identified in the 17 audited facilities were extended to all upstream facilities throughout Alberta, the total estimated savings could add up to $500 million annually with an annual reduction of up to 7 Mt of CO2 equivalent emissions.
The Methane to Markets Partnership
This past July, Canada joined ranks with Brazil, Russia, India, China, the United States, Mexico, Ukraine, and ten others, to become an official member of the Methane to Markets Partnership. Altogether, member countries account for over 60 per cent of global methane emissions from the four sources being targeted – landfills, agriculture, natural gas and oil systems, and coal mines.
The Partnership is pooling expertise and creating a network with the aim of reducing GHG emissions by promoting the recovery of methane and putting it to use as a source of clean energy. The Government of Canada, including Environment Canada (the lead government department for Canada in this initiative), Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency, Foreign Affairs Canada, and Industry Canada are working together to develop a coherent strategy for Canada's participation in this initiative. This strategy will complement the work that Canada is doing internationally to achieve our climate change commitments to reduce emissions and to promote technology transfer, as well as provide an opportunity to develop additional markets for Canadian methane-reducing technologies and expertise.
Through co-operation between developed and developing nations, the Methane to Markets Partnership has significant potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. By 2015 the initiative could reduce methane emissions by 180 Mt of CO2 equivalents.
Many countries involved in the partnership have underdeveloped or crumbling infrastructures in the areas that the partnership is tackling. By sharing its accumulated scientific and technological know-how with Methane to Markets partners, Canada can help other countries realize significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, while generating additional markets for Canadian products and expertise as well as potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction credits. Canada's contribution to such methane-reducing projects will help spur job creation and economic growth and improve air quality and energy security both at home and abroad. It will also increase industrial safety, especially in coal mines, where explosions from methane leaks are all too common.
Monterrey, Mexico offers a good illustration of the impact international co-operation on methane gas can have. In a city of almost 4 million which produces over 4000 tonnes of waste daily, the municipal government is poised to meet 80 per cent of its electricity needs with energy from landfill gas. Already the gas is powering the transit system and lighting Monterrey's streets at night.
Expanding Participation in the Partnership
As the Methane to Market's Partnership enters into its second year, the partnership is focusing on how best to strengthen communication mechanisms to share lessons learned amongst parties, and to stimulate private-sector investment to advance the up-take of methane emissions reducing technologies and practices.
While government participation is a central component to the partnership, given the above two areas of focus, the partnership is looking to build participation in its Project Network to enhance the input of private sector entities to the Partnership. People and organizations that have been involved in past methane recovery and utilization projects, such as local governments, private companies, research institutions, development banks, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, have valuable insights into the success and also failures of past projects. The active involvement of these Project Network Partners is key to the success of Methane to Markets initiative.
If you would like to learn more about the Methane to Markets Partnership or would like to join the network at no cost in order to receive many benefits, please visit the Methane to Markets.
|
