In a significant development for climate action, Turkmenistan has taken a crucial step towards addressing its methane emissions crisis. The country, once identified as the world's worst offender for methane mega-leaks, has begun plugging these leaks, marking a breakthrough in its efforts to combat climate change. However, this is just the beginning of a long journey, and there's much more to be done.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a major contributor to global warming. It traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide and is responsible for 25% of the planet's heating today. Turkmenistan's aging oil and gas facilities have been spewing massive amounts of methane, with some leaks heating the planet more than a million SUVs or a coal-fired power station. The situation was so dire that it sparked a global outcry, leading to increased scrutiny and pressure on the secretive and authoritarian government.
The Guardian's exposé in 2023 revealed Turkmenistan's methane emissions from its two main fossil fuel fields were causing more global heating than the entire carbon emissions of the UK in 2022. This was a 'mind-boggling' revelation, prompting the government to engage with the UN, the EU, and other nations to try to end the leaks. In December 2023, Turkmenistan joined the Global Methane Pledge, a significant step towards accountability and action.
The UN's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) has been instrumental in this breakthrough. MARS sent 192 alerts to Turkmenistan in the last year, and the country has responded to about 20% of them, providing on-the-ground information and potential plans to fix the leaks. This is a significant improvement, as the US, despite receiving the second-highest number of alerts, has not responded to any. Other nations like Iran, Russia, and China have also failed to respond to alerts, highlighting the need for global cooperation.
The most recent MARS data shows that Kazakhstan, another former Soviet republic with aging oil and gas infrastructure, has also stopped eight leaks. However, the overall number of leaks in Kazakhstan is smaller, with 38 alerts in the last year. In total, MARS alerts have led to 43 leaks being sealed so far, with many requiring straightforward fixes and others needing more planning and funding.
The plugging of leaks in Turkmenistan is a significant achievement, but it is not a breakthrough in the overall magnitude of emissions. There are still many sources of methane emissions in Turkmenistan that need to be addressed. The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has called for all countries to respond to 80% of alerts, and the UN is scaling up its support to help countries take action. The MARS system, using artificial intelligence and satellite data, plays a crucial role in detecting and addressing these leaks.
However, the journey towards reducing methane emissions is far from over. The US, under President Joe Biden, had engaged with MARS and fixed one small leak in New Mexico in 2024. But this engagement ended with the second presidency of Donald Trump, who called climate change a 'con job' at the UN general assembly. The US, along with other nations like Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, has a 100% response rate to MARS alerts, while Libya and Azerbaijan have high response rates. The global effort to minimize methane pollution requires continued cooperation and action from all countries.
In conclusion, Turkmenistan's breakthrough in plugging methane leaks is a significant step towards climate action. However, it is just the beginning of a long journey. The world must continue to pressure and support countries like Turkmenistan to take action and reduce their methane emissions. The MARS system and the UN's efforts are crucial in this regard, but the ultimate responsibility lies with governments and industries worldwide to do a better job in addressing this global crisis.
