Publication of U.S. Government-Funded Methane Abatement Handbook for Policymakers

In support of the Global Methane Pledge and Clean EDGE (Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy) Asia initiative, the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt and Department of Commerce, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) Chief Counsel Stephen Gardner jointly announce the launch of the Methane Abatement for Oil and Gas: Handbook for Policymakers.  This Handbook, sponsored by ENR and developed by CLDP, is a guide to empower legislators, ministries, regulators, and national oil company officials to adopt and enforce legal instruments that will rapidly and effectively reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.  The Handbook was created in close collaboration with experts from U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, multi-lateral organizations, the oil and gas industry, civil society, and academia.

Methane is a powerful short-lived greenhouse gas.  Rapidly reducing methane emissions is essential to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce the risks of crossing dangerous climate tipping points.  The oil and gas sector has the greatest share of cost-effective and technically feasible methane mitigation potential.  The International Energy Agency estimates that over 70 percent of methane emissions can be cut in the oil and gas sector with available technology, and nearly half of methane emissions avoided at no net cost.

The Departments of State and Commerce encourage government policymakers and regulators to make use of the Handbook and apply its recommendations as they pursue their climate and energy goals.  The Handbook is a starting point for understanding the policies, rules, and best practices that countries can adopt and implement to effectively abate methane from oil and gas production.

ENR and CLDP will also leverage this guide to expand foreign technical assistance programming, supporting countries who seek advisory services on methane abatement.  The English version of the Handbook, along with forthcoming versions of the Handbook in other languages, and other supporting resources on methane abatement in oil and gas, can be found online here: Methane Abatement Resources | Commercial Law Development Program (doc.gov)