Canada takes methane emissions reduction lead

The country’s oil and gas industry, often maligned for an overall high carbon footprint, is setting the pace on a GHG hot button issue

The Canadian government is forging ahead with its commitment to reduce methane emissions with regulations that came into effect at the start of this year, putting the country at the forefront of global efforts to clean up oil and gas production.  Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a powerful, albeit relatively short-lived, greenhouse gas (GHG) when released directly into the atmosphere. This regulatory move could help open new markets for Canada’s oil and gas exports among environmentally conscious energy consumers in places like Japan and Europe.  The new regulations require the oil and gas sector to slash methane emissions by 40 and 45-45pc from 2012 levels by 2025. To try to a