The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE) and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) held the III Regional Methane Summit on June 8 and 9. The event brought together governments, international organizations, companies, research centers, and specialists from Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss strategies for reducing methane emissions and opportunities to strengthen the energy transition and sustainable development in the region.
The initiative aimed to strengthen regional cooperation around one of the most relevant issues on the global climate agenda. Over the two days of activities, discussions were held on emissions management in the oil and gas sectors, environmental monitoring, regulatory progress, and new technologies for emissions mitigation.
Methane is responsible for approximately 30% of the rise in global temperature since the pre-industrial era and has a high atmospheric warming potential. In the energy sector, currently available technologies can reduce a large share of the emissions associated with the production and transport of fossil fuels, creating opportunities to increase operational efficiency and reduce waste.
In addition to the technical discussions, the Summit also aimed to strengthen the Latin American and Caribbean Methane Emissions Observatory (OEMLAC) and the Methane Community of Practice (COEMLAC), a network that brings together specialists, government representatives, companies, and academic institutions from various countries to exchange experiences and promote emissions-reduction solutions.
At the opening ceremony, OLACDE’s Executive Secretary, Andrés Rebolledo, stressed that “the expansion of the gas and oil sector in Latin America and the Caribbean must be accompanied by an ambitious methane reduction agenda that strengthens energy security, regional integration, and the competitiveness of our countries in global markets.”
An opportunity for the energy transition
The III Regional Methane Summit took place against a backdrop of growing international demand for lower-emission fuels and greater environmental transparency. In this context, methane reduction has established itself as one of the most effective measures for accelerating short-term climate outcomes and boosting the region’s energy competitiveness.
For Latin America and the Caribbean, this challenge also represents an economic opportunity. International estimates indicate that a large share of the energy sector’s emissions can be reduced using technologies that are already available, including through the recovery and use of gas that is currently wasted. This meeting is expected to help accelerate initiatives capable of turning that potential into environmental, energy, and economic benefits for the countries of the region.
Watch the full event at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDxMqdgDOK8
