MethaneSAT and Carbon Mapper revealed never before seen satellite images
BAKU, AZ – Today, the Global Methane Hub announced $10 million of funding to Carbon Mapper and MethaneSAT, propelling its Data to Action initiative, as it hosted a series of events in the Methane Action Pavilion at COP29 focused on the importance of accessible, accurate data on methane emissions. The Environmental Defense Fund’s MethaneSAT unveiled its first images for methane emissions in the Permian and Uinta basins. Carbon Mapper published 300 data plumes to its website and discussed their first mitigation success from the Tanager-1 satellite, which was built and operated by Planet Labs with technology from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Panel participants throughout the day included the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and its subsidiary MethaneSAT, and Carbon Mapper, all of whom have received funding from the Global Methane Hub to help increase data transparency for methane emissions.
Panel discussions focused on the benefits of equipping citizens, governments, companies, and investors with real-time, transparent data to more effectively track emissions and compare the results against emission goals and obligations.
“Today’s discussions offered an important opportunity to collaborate on the shared mission of data transparency, which will make clear where we can reduce methane emissions, ” said Chris Konek, Lead Scientist at the Global Methane Hub. “These images, data, and funding are critical for how governments, NGOs, scientists, and corporations develop and implement common-sense public policies and regulations to curb harmful emissions. This level of transparency will also help local communities have access to the information necessary to advocate for themselves. We’re proud to have helped convene these leading members of government and civil society to showcase their essential programs and look forward to working together to reduce emissions around the globe.”
During the first panel, “A Methane Data Revolution: Translating Insight into Action,” IMEO’s Roland Kupers discussed its recently released 2024 annual report and its updated public data platform. These IMEO initiatives provide new insights into global progress on translating methane data into actionable mitigation, highlighting the Methane Alert and Response System, Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, and IMEO’s worldwide methane science studies. The panel was a vibrant discussion among key stakeholders across government and civil society. The stakeholders homed in on how data-driven tools can advance mitigation.
During the second panel, “Mission Possible: The Value of Methane Satellites in Solving the Climate Crisis,” EDF discussed the release of new images from MethaneSAT, the methane-sensing satellite launched earlier this year to provide wide area measurement that is essential to comprehensively characterize oil and gas methane emissions globally. Carbon Mapper shared 300 methane plume data points from the Tanager-1 satellite, showcasing another breakthrough in emission mitigation efforts. Both unveilings of never-before-seen data catalyzed a discussion around the complementary capabilities of these two satellites, and their role in providing essential data for improving accountability and guiding effective methane reduction strategies. Their data will play a key role in tracking progress toward methane reduction targets and driving action across industries. MethaneSAT is designed to show the whole picture of emissions for the first time across all types of production basins, both big sources and thousands of smaller ones. It functions like a wide-angle lens, covering large areas in a single image, with great clarity. The Tanager-1 satellite serves as a “zoom lens” to identify individual emission events. The capabilities of these satellites has expanded the data available for monitoring emitters and provides a transparent framework that enables local authorities to identify specific emission sources.
In addition to the panels, the Global Methane Hub announced a new $5 million grant to Carbon Mapper and a $5 million grant to MethaneSAT in its first ever funding from its Data to Action initiative, in an effort to further their mission of emissions data transparency.
The panels are a part of a series of events the Global Methane Hub is hosting at its Methane Action Pavilion in Baku. In addition to data transparency, panel conversations have also discussed why countries should include methane specific targets in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
Since its inception in 2021, GMH has regranted $203 million to more than 132 organizations, impacting over 150 countries that account for over 80% of global methane emissions. GMH events at COP include global policymakers, scientists, experts, activists, philanthropists, and media to participate in thought-provoking discussions and initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions worldwide.