US deal could plug Turkmenistan’s colossal methane emissions

(The Guardian, 2 Jun 2023) The central Asian country has the worst rate of climate-heating ‘super-emitter’ events in the world.

The US is in negotiations with Turkmenistan over an agreement to plug the central Asian nation’s colossal methane leaks.

Turkmenistan was responsible for 184 “super-emitter” events in which the powerful greenhouse gas was released in 2022, the highest number in the world. One caused climate pollution equivalent to the rate of emissions from 67m cars.

US officials hope that some leaks from Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry could be halted by the start of the UN’s Cop28 climate summit in late November. Success would represent a major achievement in tackling the climate crisis.

Methane emissions cause 25% of global heating today. A surge since 2007 may be the biggest threat to keeping below 1.5C of global heating above pre-industrial levels and seriously risks triggering catastrophic climate tipping points, according to scientists. Tackling leaks from fossil fuel sites is the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to slash methane emissions.

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The Guardian, 2 Jun 2023: US deal could plug Turkmenistan’s colossal methane emissions