The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has emphasised the importance of addressing methane emissions to mitigate climate change.
The Executive Director of CTA, Faith Nwadishi, highlighted this during a stakeholders and media roundtable on “Nigeria’s National Gas Plans for Non-Power Uses.” The event was organized by CTA in partnership with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI).
Nwadishi pointed out that methane is responsible for about 25 percent of the human-caused global warming experienced today.
“Methane is over 80 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Therefore, addressing methane emissions is crucial in mitigating climate change and its impacts,” she said.
Reducing methane emissions offers multiple benefits, including decreasing a potent greenhouse gas and generating additional revenue streams through capturing and utilising methane.
Nwadishi highlighted the critical role of gas in Nigeria’s energy strategy, especially in non-power sectors such as heating, cooking, industrial processes, and as petrochemical feedstock.
“Nigeria’s ambitious climate targets aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, and gas is considered a critical transition fuel in this endeavor.
However, the viability and sustainability of using gas in non-power applications remain areas of significant concern and interest,” she added.
It is essential to critically examine the technical and commercial viability, risks, and emissions implications, particularly methane emissions, associated with these plans.
The Programme Officer at NRGI, Ahmad Abdulsamad emphasised the need to use gas to unlock the transport sector.
He noted that the institute is working to highlight and mainstream issues ranging from the risk of over-investing in gas exploration to finding a way forward for Nigeria.
The Assistant Director of Development and Production at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Dr. Evans Okoro also shared insights at the event.
“Every country is setting up plans for energy transition. Nigeria has a plan for that too. There is a lot of gas in the country. We have a reserve of over 209 trillion cubic feet of gas. Some of that gas is used for power and non-power sources,” Okoro stated.
He added that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) encourages the utilization of domestic gas.
The roundtable underscored the importance of addressing methane emissions and exploring sustainable gas usage in non-power sectors as part of Nigeria’s broader climate goals and energy transition plans.
