CASIUS – Highlights on GHG Emissions - Week # 1
Today’s issue of CASIUS Highlights on GHG emissions features the -ExxonMobil plans for net zero emissions in Permian Basin operations by 2030-, the -Gas flaring: Can we rein in the waste and pollution? FT Energy Source-, -Middle East Green Initiative Launched in Saudi Arabia to Mitigate Climate Actions-, -Iraq pledges to end the burning of harmful gas by 2025-, and -The European Space Agency reported having found substantial amounts of methane leaking from adjacent landfills, via high resolution satellites.
ExxonMobil announced an ambitious plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from operated assets in the U.S. Permian Basin by 2030, accelerating and expanding its emission-reduction plans for unconventional operations in New Mexico and Texas. Elimination of routine flaring in Permian Basin operations by year-end 2022, Electrification of operations in New Mexico and Texas will include low-carbon power sources and expands and accelerates methane monitoring, equipment upgrades and flaring reduction.
To raise awareness of accelerating the pace of emission reductions, the Financial Times published a report from Houston, Texas, showing that steps are now being taken to curb the flaring gas. For further information, click here
As clear testimony to the region’s ability to tackle climate change, The Middle East Green Initiative has been announced in Saudi Arabia as a regional and cooperative approach to climate action and its launch was hailed by the UN as a valuable commitment and strategic vision for the transition of regional economies from unsustainable development to a model “fit for the challenges of the XXI century.”
The initiative will help reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry, targeting decarbonization of all industrial sectors, create new carbon sinks, and help restore and protect vast swaths of land through afforestation. For further information, click here
Iraq pledges to end harmful gas flaring by 2025 working towards a greener future.
Iraq will stop flaring associated gas by 2025, the country’s deputy prime minister announced at the Middle East Green Initiative Summit.
The European Space Agency reported the high-resolution satellites have detected substantial quantities of methane leaking from adjacent landfill sites close to the centre of Madrid, Spain. Using data from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission combined with GHGSat’s high-resolution commercial imagery, scientists from the SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research and GHGSat discovered both landfill sites combined emitted 8800 kg of methane per hour in August 2021 – the highest observed in Europe by GHGSat.