Expert panel to tackle methane emissions measurement
The Government has announced plans to improve the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions reporting in Australia, starting with a panel charged with reviewing measurement processes.
Chief Scientist Cathy Foley has been appointed to lead an expert panel to advise on the potential role of atmospheric measurement approaches in enhancing Australia's fossil methane emissions estimation.
The decision comes after the Climate Change Authority (CCA) reviewed the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme and made 25 recommendations for improvement. The Government has agreed to 24 of these recommendations, including the establishment of the expert panel.
The panel's work will be informed by a scientific study to test the capability of various atmospheric measurement approaches. This study will draw on findings from an ongoing integrated atmospheric measurement study that is testing satellite, plane, vehicle, and ground-based approaches in an operational open-cut mine setting.
The Government has already implemented several improvements to the NGER scheme, including introducing market-based reporting arrangements for renewable liquid fuels and phasing out the use of Method 1 for estimating fugitive emissions from coal mines.
"The Climate Change Authority has found Australia's emissions reporting scheme is performing well and supporting Australia's net zero transformation delivery," said Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. "Methane is among the world's most powerful greenhouse gases. It is essential that our measurement approaches continue to improve, based on sound science and expert analysis."
The Climate Council has welcomed the Government's plan, saying it is a crucial step towards reducing methane pollution.
"Cutting methane pollution is our best chance to slow dangerous warming this decade," said Dr Jennifer Rayner, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Climate Council. "Properly measuring Australia's outsized methane pollution is the crucial first step in making companies cut it."
The Government's proposed actions do not yet address Australia's largest source of methane, agriculture. The Climate Council is calling for a clear plan to accelerate measurement, reporting, and action on methane from industrial-scale farms.
