Methane Project

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and a major contributor to climate change. The concentration of methane in the atmosphere is increasing at a faster rate than ever before.

This project studies the monitoring methods, emission factors, and emission control technologies of methane (CH₄) emission from waste treatment (landfill and wastewater treatment) and livestock production (enteric fermentation and manure management) in northern China. The project will provide support for the formulation of methane emission control policies at the technical and policy levels, serve the environmental functional departments at the national and regional levels, and improve management capabilities of China in methane emission control and climate change mitigation.

The project will also work to raise government, scientific and public awareness of methane emissions and impacts through reports, seminars, brochure, and website. Finally, Norway and China will further strengthen the long-lasting cooperation on environmental issues through this project.

Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas from human activity. It is 28 times more powerful than CO2 over a 100-year perspective and has a lifespan of around nine to ten years. Over a twenty-year perspective, methane is 81 times more powerful than CO2 (IPCC, 2021). Methane emissions have contributed to about 30% of the net warming since pre-industrial times. Because methane stays in the atmosphere for such a short time after being released, measures to reduce methane emissions can relatively quickly limit the rate of warming. Methane reductions will also have a positive impact on air quality and food production, as methane effectively contributes to the formation of health- and plant-damaging ozone near the ground.

China-Norway cooperation on methane control (ChiNorCH4 project)

In April 2024, China and Norway signed an agreement to control methane emissions from livestock production (digestive emissions and manure management) and waste. The project has a budget of 15.6 million Norwegian kroner, of which 12 million kroner comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the remainder from the Chinese side. The project period is 2024-2027.

The Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) are the main project implementation partners. National Center for Climate Change Strategy Research and International Cooperation (NCSC) is another partner on the Chinese side.  In addition, depending on the actual situation, other research institutions from national, international or pilot regions will also be included.

Project Goals

The goal of the project is to support China in achieving its 2060 carbon neutrality goal and commitments under the Paris Agreement. This will be accomplished by increasing the knowledge of management departments and the public about the importance of reducing methane emissions, designing  solutions and strategies for methane emissions control in Northern China, and providing recommendations to decision-makers on how best to control methane emissions from livestock production and waste.

The primary objectives include:

• Increasing Knowledge: Enhancing public and governmental awareness of methane’s impact on climate change, air quality and crops.
• Improving the knowledge base: Obtaining high quality CH₄ emission inventories.
• Technology Integration: Evaluating  cost-effective and innovative technologies for methane mitigation in livestock and waste sectors.
• Developing Strategies: Designing solutions for methane emission control.
• Policy Recommendations: Providing actionable insights for decision-makers to implement emission reduction measures.

Together, we’re paving the way for innovative solutions to reduce methane emissions, mitigate climate change and improve air quality.