The ‘Methane Matters’ coalition, which brings together European civil society organisations, aims to significantly reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. As the largest emitters are agriculture, waste and energy sectors, the project focuses primarily on these areas. As part of the coalition, the Clean Air Action Group is working to collect as much as possible available data and knowledge on domestic emission sources and, based on this, to develop a strategy for reducing methane emissions in Hungary. The programme also aims to raise awareness of possible pollution reduction measures among decision-makers, relevant emitters and the general public.
About methane
Methane (CH4) is a colourless and odourless gas that occurs naturally as the main component of natural gas, on the sea floor and in permafrost, as well as in swamps and marshes. It is produced by natural and human processes and activities, such as the decomposition or fermentation of organic matter. More than half of global methane emissions are caused by human activities, primarily agriculture (livestock farming, land use), the waste sector (landfills and sewage) and the energy sector (extraction and transport of fossil fuels).
Reducing methane emissions could be key to slowing climate change
When discussing the causes of climate change, we often tend to focus solely on carbon dioxide emissions, even though dozens of other gases and tiny solid particles play a role in global warming, including short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). Among these, methane stands out, as it has a greenhouse effect 80 times stronger than CO2 and thus contributes to approximately 30% of climate change. In addition, it is also linked to local air pollution as a cause of ground-level ozone and so-called secondary particle pollution.
However, it is fortunate that while carbon dioxide can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, methane decomposes within 10-15 years. Consequently, by radically reducing methane emissions, we could achieve a significant impact in a much shorter time than with carbon dioxide reduction measures, which are also very important. However, we have less and less time to act quickly. The warmer the atmosphere gets, the more the polar ice caps melt and the more methane is released from the soil, making the process virtually irreversible.
However, global methane emissions linked to human activity pose a huge challenge. The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has increased by 259% compared to pre-industrial levels. In the 2000s, it seemed that the increase in pollution had stopped, but later it started to rise again at an alarming rate, and unfortunately this trend is still continuing.
Sectoral studies on methane emissions and options for intervention
As part of the project, we are analysing the economic sectors with significant methane emissions with the involvement of renowned Hungarian experts. Our studies on methane emissions are available here