Climate Conversations: Reducing and Removing Methane Emissions

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide at heating our atmosphere. Reducing methane emissions – with methods including plugging abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells, improving agricultural practices, reducing food waste, capturing methane from landfills and coal mines, and repairing leaks in oil and gas infrastructure – is critical, but these efforts alone may not be enough. As a result, scientists have begun exploring ways to remove methane directly from the air.  

This conversation will discuss why methane removal is being considered as part of the portfolio of strategies to manage methane, the different methane removal approaches that are being explored, and challenges associated with advancing these technologies. In addition, the panelists will explore how methane removal could contribute to efforts to restore atmospheric and ecological health, as well as innovative uses for captured methane.