By Faridat Salifu
In a bid to curb greenhouse gas emissions in its oil and gas sector, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) and with support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is spearheading the development of a methane tracker.
The innovative tool aims to enhance the monitoring and regulation of methane emissions, a significant contributor to global warming.
Methane, often released during oil and gas production, processing, and transportation, is a potent greenhouse gas with over 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide in the short term. Addressing methane emissions has become a global priority in combating climate change.
Speaking at a recent workshop in Abuja, themed “Presentation of the Prototype Methane Tracker,” Adam Heal, Executive Director of SDN, underscored the importance of the initiative.
He explained that the tracker would provide credible data on methane emissions, enabling regulators and stakeholders to implement targeted climate action.
According to Heal, the methane tracker is designed to identify major sources of methane emissions in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
By integrating freely available data with industry-specific insights, the platform will offer real-time information tailored to meet the needs of Nigerian regulators and industry leaders.
“The tracker will allow us to efficiently pinpoint sources of methane and evaluate efforts by companies to reduce emissions,” Heal noted.
He emphasized that while some companies may already be working to cut emissions, they often lack the data needed to demonstrate their progress effectively.
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Strengthening Climate Commitments
Dr. Jude Samuelson, Head of Environment at SDN, highlighted the tracker’s alignment with Nigeria’s national and international climate commitments.
He described the tool as groundbreaking, noting its potential to empower regulatory agencies with credible data, facilitating better compliance and reporting on emission reductions.
“This initiative not only supports national goals but positions Nigeria as a leader in tackling methane emissions in the oil and gas sector,” Samuelson stated.
A Milestone for Nigeria’s Climate Policy
Ms. Adesola Olatunde, representing the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, lauded the methane tracker as a significant step forward for Nigeria.
She stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the tool aligns with the country’s environmental priorities.
“This is a critical milestone for Nigeria. We need continued engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the tracker effectively addresses national priorities while advancing global climate goals,” Olatunde said.
A Vision for the Future
Once fully operational, the methane tracker is expected to serve as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s regulatory framework, providing transparency and accountability in the fight against methane emissions.
The collaboration between the Federal Government, SDN, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs represents a united effort to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
With this initiative, Nigeria is taking a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
Source :Nairametrics
