As two of the largest global economies and energy consumers, China and the U.S. are also the top and third largest methane emitters, respectively. Both nations have significant opportunities to reduce their methane emissions over the next decade, with some methods of reduction having low or no costs associated. In the U.S., it's estimated that a total reduction potential of 224 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (Mt CO₂e) can be achieved through abatement measures costing $100/t CO₂e or less by 2030. Meanwhile, in China, the potential for methane reduction is predicted to reach 469 Mt CO₂e in 2030, which is equivalent to a 35% decrease from 2015 levels.
Authors:
- Jiang Lin, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory*
- Fan Dai, California-China Climate Institute, University of California, Berkeley*
- Nina Zheng Khanna, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory*
- Rixin Zhu, California-China Climate Institute, University of California, Berkeley*
- Nate Hultman, University of Maryland*
* Organizations are noted for affiliation purposes only. This paper represents authors’ views, and not necessarily those of their institutions.
