Partnership: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the objective of the Methane to Markets Partnership?
- What countries are participating in the Partnership?
- What commitments do Partner Countries make?
- Can the private sector and other organizations participate?
- What is the difference between a Partner and a Project Network member?
- How does the Partnership achieve its goals?
- How can I contact my country representative?
- How can I submit a project idea or activity to a technical subcommittee for consideration?
- What are the expected benefits of the Methane to Markets Partnership?
1. What is the objective of the Methane to Markets Partnership?
The objective of the Methane to Markets Partnership is to reduce global methane emissions while enhancing economic growth, promoting energy security, and improving the environment and public health. With collaboration among developed countries, developing countries, and countries with economies in transition–together with strong participation from the private sector–the initiative focuses on advancing cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use projects. The Partnership will initially target three major methane sources for action: coal mines, landfills, and oil and gas systems.
2. What countries are participating in the Partnership?
The governmental charter members, who launched the Partnership on 16 November 2004, are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. An updated list of Partners shows that new countries are joining on a continuing basis. Other national governments with an interest in promoting methane projects can request to join the Partnership at any time.
3. What commitments do governmental Partners make?
Participating countries sign the Terms of Reference, which outlines the purpose, organizational structure and functions of this voluntary Partnership. Core activities outlined in the Terms of Reference include:
- Identifying and promoting areas of bilateral, multilateral and private sector collaboration on methane recovery and use.
- Developing improved emissions estimates and identifying the largest relevant emission sources from the Methane to Markets sectors.
- Identifying cost-effective opportunities to recover methane for energy production and identifying potential financing mechanisms to encourage investment.
- Improving the legal, regulatory, financial, institutional, and other conditions necessary to overcome barriers and attract investment in methane recovery and use projects.
- Identifying and implementing collaborative projects aimed at addressing specific challenges to methane recovery, such as raising awareness in key industries, overcoming barriers to project development and implementation, identifying project opportunities, and demonstrating technologies.
- Developing collaborative Action Plans that outline a series of activities that directly support the core goals and functions of the Partnership.
- Designing and executing a process for evaluating progress and reporting results.
In addition, Partners in developed countries assist Partners in developing countries and countries with economies in transition in expanding methane recovery projects through cooperative technical assistance , technology deployment and other activities.
4. Can the private sector and other organizations participate?
Yes. Active involvement by private sector entities, financial institutions, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations is essential to the Partnership’s success. Organizations are encouraged to become members of the Project Network, which facilitates communication for project development and implementation, as well as private sector involvement. Becoming a Project Network member is voluntary and non-binding.
5. What is the difference between a Partner and a Project Network member?
Partners are countries whose national governments sign the Terms of Reference document. Partners appoint staff to represent their government on each of the technical subcommittees in which they have an interest. Partners may also have representatives on the Steering Committee.
Project Network members include organizations and individuals with experience or interest in methane recovery and use projects that are prepared to work to support the goals of the Partnership. The Project Network promotes direct communication between its members and the technical subcommittees. Project Network members are invited and encouraged to participate in the subcommittee meetings and attend open sessions of the annual Steering Committee meeting.
6. How does the Partnership achieve its goals?
The Partnership achieves its methane emissions reductions goals by facilitating public and private sector investment in methane capture and use projects. Partners identify barriers to project development and support activities designed to help overcome these barriers, such as capacity building, workshops and other training events, technology transfer, feasibility studies, and technical assistance. Partners also identify and assess potential project sites, and clarify regulatory and legal issues.
7. How can I contact my country representative?
Partners designate country representatives (PDF, 35 pp., 253 KB, About PDF) to the committees of the Methane to Markets Partnership. These representatives can provide additional country-specific information on Methane to Markets activities in their country.
8. How can I submit a project idea or activity to a technical subcommittee for consideration?
The technical subcommittees invite Project Network members to submit project ideas and activities online using the guidance and submission form. You can also view project ideas and activities that have already been submitted by others.
9. What are the expected benefits of the Methane to Markets Partnership?
The Partnership has the potential to reduce methane emissions by up to 50 million metric tons of carbon equivalent. This is equivalent to the recovery of 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas. If achieved, these reductions could lead to stabilized or even declining levels of global atmospheric concentrations of methane. To give a sense of scale, this is equivalent to the following:
- Removing 33 million cars from the roads for one year, planting 55 million acres of trees, or eliminating emissions from fifty 500 megawatt coal-fired power plants
- Providing enough energy to heat approximately 7.2 million households for one year.
