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A leading climate group, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), has announced plans to launch MethaneSAT, a million satellite designed to track global methane emissions with unparalleled precision. The satellite will provide data that holds corporations and nations accountable to their climate pledges. According to Steven Hamburg, EDF’s chief scientist, the goal is not just to collect data but to build an advocacy team that ensures action is taken based on increased transparency.

MethaneSAT, currently under construction at Ball Aerospace in Boulder, will pinpoint methane polluters with unprecedented accuracy. The satellite will scan the Earth every three to four days using a custom-built optical sensor to detect methane’s infrared fingerprints. The satellite’s data will be published online, allowing for increased accountability and transparency.

The EDF’s efforts to monitor methane emissions are not new. Over a decade ago, the organization became concerned that the oil and gas industry was not accurately accounting for methane leaks, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Through intensive research and collaboration with university scientists, the EDF found that methane emissions from the US oil and gas industry were much higher than previous estimates.

The launch of MethaneSAT is an extension of the EDF’s previous work, aiming to replicate their success on a global scale. The satellite will not only identify methane hotspots but also determine which countries may be underreporting their emissions. This data will be of particular interest to oil and gas companies already committed to reducing methane emissions, allowing for verification of their progress.

The EDF plans to share the results of MethaneSAT’s data analysis with the International Methane Emissions Observatory, a United Nations project tracking methane pollution globally. By working in conjunction with this project, the EDF aims to provide politically sensitive information in a collaborative and non-confrontational manner.

The EDF’s vision extends beyond just monitoring emissions. They believe that by providing data on methane leaks, oil and gas companies will be motivated to find economical solutions to minimize emissions. Unlike other pollutants, methane has the potential to be captured and used as an energy source, providing financial incentives for companies to prevent its release into the atmosphere.

Although the launch of MethaneSAT is seen as a significant step forward in monitoring methane emissions, some scientists, like Xin Lan from the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, believe it may not be enough to slow the global rise in methane levels. However, the EDF remains optimistic that by combining data collection, analysis, and advocacy, they can drive meaningful change in reducing methane emissions and combating climate change.

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