he Nord Stream explosions highlight the immediate climate opportunity that exists by addressing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry
Explained: How Nord Stream Gas Pipelines Explosions Worsened Climate Change
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Ahmedabad (The Peepal) : A recent study led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has revealed that the rupture of Europe's Nord Stream gas pipelines over two years ago caused the largest-ever human-caused release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Following a series of explosions under the Baltic Sea in September 2022, up to 485,000 tonnes of methane leaked from the pipeline network, more than double previous estimates.
Key Data Points
Event | Amount of Methane Released | Global Warming Impact | Comparison to Previous Record |
Nord Stream Leak (2022) | 485,000 tonnes | Equivalent to 8 million cars driven for a year | 5.x larger than previous record (Aliso Canyon) |
Previous Estimate (2018 - 2021) | 75,000 - 230,000 tonnes. | N/A | N/A |
Aliso Canyon Gas Leak (2015) | 97,000 tonnes | Equivalent to 1 million cars driven for a year | Record before Nord Stream leak |
While the Nord Stream leak was already considered one of the largest human-caused methane releases, this new analysis, published in Nature, uncovers the true extent of the release. The methane leak was nearly five times larger than the previous record-holder, the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak in the United States. In the short term, experts say that the leak contributed as much to global warming as 8 million cars driven for an entire year.
Methane’s Global Impact
- Global Warming Contribution: Methane accounts for about one-third of global warming.
- Heat-Trapping Power: Over 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 20-year period.
- Lifespan in Atmosphere: Methane only stays in the atmosphere for about 10 years before breaking down.
“This release was unprecedented in its scale, but it is only part of a bigger problem,” said Manfredi Caltagirone, head of the UNEP-led International Methane Emissions Observatory. “Despite its magnitude, the Nord Stream explosion represents just two days’ worth of global methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. There is a tremendous opportunity to tackle this pollution, which is worsening the climate crisis.”
Previous studies estimated the Nord Stream leak at 75,000 to 230,000 tonnes. However, this new analysis, based on data from the International Methane Emissions Observatory, provides a clearer picture. Researchers combined atmospheric data, satellite images, marine observations, aerial measurements, and engineering estimates to determine how much methane escaped from the Baltic Sea into the atmosphere.
Study Methodology
- Data Sources:
- Atmospheric data
- Satellite-based imagery
- Marine observations
- Aerial measurements
- Engineering estimates
- Field Measurements:
- The only airborne measurements collected from the explosion site, taken by the German Aerospace Center and Technische Universität Braunschweig.
The study, involving 70 scientists from 30 organizations, concluded that the total leak was between 445,000 and 485,000 tonnes.
“The observatory's work demonstrates the importance of using a variety of tools to assess methane emissions accurately, which is crucial for taking effective action to reduce them,” said Andrea Hinwood, UNEP’s Chief Scientist.
This study is part of UNEP’s broader efforts to monitor and reduce global methane emissions. UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System uses satellite data to detect methane leaks from oil and gas facilities and alerts governments and companies, allowing them to respond quickly. Additionally, UNEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 helps companies measure and report their emissions, which is vital for managing the sector's emissions in a systematic and impactful way.
Global Methane Emission Trends
Region/Source | Annual Methane Emissions | Growth Rate |
Global Methane Emissions | 60-70 million tonnes/year. | Rising faster than any time since the 1980s |
Oil & Gas Industry (Global) | 10-12 million tonnes/year | Contributing significantly to the increase |
Methane emissions are rising at the fastest rate since the 1980s. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has called on countries to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Rapid Impact of Methane Emission Reductions
- Methane’s Short Lifespan: Due to methane’s short atmospheric lifespan (around 10 years), reducing emissions can lead to immediate and significant impacts on global warming.
- Targeted Reduction: Immediate action could prevent 1.6°C of warming by 2100, according to the IPCC.
“The Nord Stream explosions highlight the immediate climate opportunity that exists by addressing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry,” said Caltagirone.
