Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and the second biggest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. In recent years, global efforts to control methane emissions have intensified, driven by initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge from COP26, and national strategies from the U.S. and the EU. China has also taken significant steps with its Methane Emissions Control Action Plan, positioning itself alongside international efforts in global methane reduction. The Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – NDC Implementation project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of BMWK, plays a critical role in supporting these national efforts by advancing methane reduction strategies in key provinces such as Shandong and Guangdong.
The Role of Guangdong and Shandong in Methane Mitigation
Guangdong and Shandong are essential to China’s broader climate goals, with both provinces contributing significantly to national methane emissions, particularly from sectors like energy, agriculture, and waste management. Guangdong has taken initial steps such as waste incineration and fertilizer reduction, while Shandong has implemented coal mine methane capture and other energy-focused efforts. However, both regions lack fully integrated methane control strategies, which are needed to help China achieve its early emissions peaking and long-term decarbonization objectives.
The Sino-German NDC Implementation project works closely with local governments in both provinces to help bridge these gaps. By providing technical expertise and policy guidance, the project aims to support the implementation of the national Methane Emissions Control Action Plan at the provincial level, enabling these regions to become models for broader methane mitigation strategies across China.
Sino-German Expert Workshop: Building Provincial Capacity
To support the provincial rollout of the Methane Emissions Control Action Plan, the Guangdong Department of Ecology and Environment co-hosted the Sino-German Expert Workshop on Provincial Methane Mitigation Policies and Pathways together with GIZ on August 22, 2024, in Guangzhou. The workshop brought together experts from Guangdong and Shandong provinces, as well as national and subnational research institutions, alongside international specialists from Germany, to address the complexities of methane reduction in key sectors.
One day after the workshop, Guangdong took a significant step forward by officially publishing its Provincial Methane Emission Control Action Plan. As one of the first provincial-level methane action plans in China, this move solidified Guangdong’s leadership in climate action, setting a reference point for other provinces. The plan includes critical components such as the establishment of a methane monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, the promotion of methane reduction methodologies for the China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) programme, and updated emission standards for coal mine methane.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop facilitated meaningful exchanges between Chinese and German experts, focusing on the development of a strong policy and regulatory framework for methane reduction. Key highlights included:
- China’s Methane Strategy: An expert from the National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) presented China’s Methane Emissions Control Action Plan. The plan promotes the development of methane-specific methodologies for the CCER programme, the construction of an MRV system, and the revision of methane emission standards.
- Guangdong’s Action Plan: The province aims to establish a comprehensive system of policies, technologies, and standards for methane emission control by 2025, enhancing its capacity for methane monitoring, accounting, and supervision.
- Methane Abatement Approaches: Experts from Germany, Guangdong, and Shandong exchanged knowledge on methane abatement options in the agriculture and waste sectors. German specialists presented case studies, including biogas capture from waste, which could be adapted to China’s large-scale agricultural system.
Looking Forward: Strengthening Provincial Action
This workshop fostered an ongoing dialogue between Chinese and German experts, furthering provincial efforts to reduce methane emissions. By building capacity and sharing best practices, it has laid the groundwork for developing comprehensive methane control frameworks in Guangdong and Shandong, which will not only support their provincial goals but also contribute to China’s national climate strategy and global methane reduction efforts.
This activity is part of the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation (NDCI) project, a bilateral cooperation project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), cooperating with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (MEE). The project is jointly implemented by GIZ and China’s National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC).
