reduction actions. The development of new, low-cost leak detection and repair options would also encourage much more widespread adoption.

For flaring, large volumes of gas are often wasted in small-scale operations on an intermittent basis. A core challenge is to provide economically viable solutions to bring the gas to market, especially in offshore operations.

Leak detection and repair (LDAR)

Leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes are one of the key instruments to reduce fugitive (or accidental) methane leaks in a cost-effective manner. LDAR programmes can be carried out at different frequencies (e.g. monthly, quarterly or yearly), and although more frequent checks will identify leaks more quickly and save more gas, the marginal cost of mitigation rises. The ability to carry out checks more frequently or – better still – on a continuous basis and at low cost would substantially reduce emissions.

Monitoring and measuring methane emissions

Emissions levels and abatement potential are based on sparse and sometimes conflicting data. There is also a wide divergence in estimated emissions at the global, regional and country levels. Accurate measurement is critical not just to advance scientific understanding of the problem but also to assess the efficacy of policy actions and to assure the public that the issue is being addressed.

Mobile gas utilisation technologies for small-scale operations

Existing flare capture technology solutions for large applications are mature and widely available. However, a large amount of flaring takes place in small-scale operations and on an intermittent basis. Gas that is flared also often contains a high level of contaminants. In these cases, it can be challenging to provide economically viable solutions to bring the gas to market, especially in offshore operations, so new solutions to utilise the gas are needed to eliminate the need for flaring. Mobile and modular gas utilisation facilities that can be deployed rapidly would also help in situations in which flared gas volumes can decline rapidly over time (such as in tight oil production).

Innovation needs in industry

•Innovation efforts are currently under way to avoid CO2 emissions in industry, such as through low-carbon, hydrogen-based production of steel and chemicals; using alternative, lower-carbon binding materials in cement; and employing inert anodes for primary aluminium production. Other efforts focus on CCUS, particularly in the iron and steel, chemical and cement subsectors. While recent progress has been promising, acceleration is needed on key innovation gaps.

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