The UKs methane opportunity

The UK is urged to establish a methane import standard aligned with the EU's Methane Regulation to drive global emissions reductions and protect its own export competitiveness. By setting a methane intensity performance standard of 0.2%, the UK could contribute to a reduction of 25,465 kt of methane globally and up to 124 kt domestically. The brief also recommends a formal Methane Action Plan, a legal ban on routine venting and flaring by 2026, and increased financial contributions to methane abatement projects via international financial institutions.

• Implementing a UK methane import standard aligned with the EU's approach would magnify climate impacts by encouraging more global oil and gas production to meet low-intensity thresholds. If a "methane intensity performance standard" were set at 0.2% equivalent, it could result in a reduction of 25,465 kt of methane, exceeding 36% of global oil and gas emissions.
• Due to WTO non-discrimination rules, any import standards would necessitate equally strict rules for domestic production, potentially reducing UK-based emissions by up to 124 kt.
• The UK can gain an early-mover advantage by coordinating with the EU on the methodology for measuring methane intensity before the EU releases its methodology in 2027. This coordination would ensure UK energy exports to the EU are not penalised and simplify reporting for exporters.
• To reinforce its leadership, the UK should adopt a robust Methane Action Plan and transition the North Sea Transition Authority's non-binding target to eliminate routine venting and flaring into a legal requirement by 2026, potentially via the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill.

APA

Locke, B., & Tremain, R. (2024). The UKs methane opportunity. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/2024/04/the-uks-methane-opportunity/

Chicago

Locke, Brandon, and Rebecca Tremain. The UKs methane opportunity. Clean Air Task Force, 2024. https://www.catf.us/2024/04/the-uks-methane-opportunity/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Locke |first1=Brandon |last2=Tremain |first2=Rebecca |title=The UKs methane opportunity |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=23 April 2024 |url=https://www.catf.us/2024/04/the-uks-methane-opportunity/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{locke2024uks, author = {Locke, Brandon and Tremain, Rebecca}, title = {{The UKs methane opportunity}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2024}, month = apr, url = {https://www.catf.us/2024/04/the-uks-methane-opportunity/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }