Context:
- Recent satellite-based observations indicate that methane emissions in India, especially from landfills and urban waste sites, may be significantly under-estimated.
- Studies show emissions at key locations could be up to 10 times higher than official estimates, raising concerns over climate accounting, mitigation planning, and data transparency.
Key Highlights:
Methane Emissions Scenario in India:
- Methane (CH₄) is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential ~28–34 times that of CO₂ over 100 years.
- Around 15% of India’s methane emissions originate from urban waste and landfill sites.
- Landfills like Bhalswa (Delhi) have emerged as major emission hotspots.
Role of Satellite Technology:
- Advanced satellites (e.g., Carbon Mapper, MethaneSAT, Sentinel) can detect emissions at high spatial resolution (down to square-metre levels).
- Satellite data reveals “super-emitters” — concentrated sources emitting disproportionately high methane.
- Current ground-based inventories rely on aggregated estimates, often missing localized emission spikes.
Data Gaps & Challenges:
- India’s official methane inventories are often sector-based averages, not real-time measurements.
- Urban landfills, sewage treatment plants, and agricultural hotspots are inadequately monitored.
- Fragmented institutional responsibility across municipal bodies, SPCBs, and ministries.
Policy & Governance Aspects:
- India has joined the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce methane emissions.
- However, lack of integrated monitoring platforms limits effective policy action.
- Experts suggest making environmental data a public good to improve accountability.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Methane (CH₄): Short-lived climate pollutant with high warming impact.
- Major Sources in India:
- Agriculture (livestock, rice paddies)
- Urban waste & landfills
- Fossil fuel extraction
- Satellite Monitoring: Enables detection of invisible emissions and identification of hotspots.
- Challenges:
- Under-reporting due to outdated methodologies
- Limited urban monitoring infrastructure
- Impact: Underestimation weakens India’s climate mitigation strategies.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Climate Governance: Accurate emissions data is critical for evidence-based policymaking.
- Urbanisation & Waste: Rapid urban growth without scientific waste management exacerbates methane release.
- Judicial & Policy Relevance: Courts and regulators increasingly rely on scientific data for environmental decisions.
- Keywords: Methane super-emitters, satellite surveillance, climate transparency, short-lived climate pollutants.
- Way Forward:
- Integrate satellite data with ground-level monitoring.
- Establish a national methane emissions portal.
- Strengthen urban waste management, landfill capping, and biogas recovery.
- Institutional coordination among MoEFCC, SPCBs, ULBs, and research institutions.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS III: Environment, climate change, waste management, technology applications
- GS II: Governance, regulatory institutions, policy implementation
GS I: Urbanisation and environmental stress