As a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential, assumed to be 34 times that of CO2 over a 100-year period, methane is responsible for more than one-fifth of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Reducing anthropogenic methane emissions would have a drastic mitigation effect on climate change but requires an understanding of the largest sources of emissions to target abatement interventions more effectively. This report considers the four main sectors that dominate anthropogenic methane emissions, including oil and gas, municipal solid waste management, coal mining, and wastewater management, with reference also being made to GHG emissions from livestock in the annex, assessing each source’s contribution to methane emissions in Africa. The report outlines a methodology for quantifying methane in Africa to develop a 2020 baseline for each country and sector, before exploring possible sectoral abatement options and costs through specific country case studies.
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