Connecting players in the natural gas value chain to accelerate methane reductions is what Methane Guiding Principles (MGP) is trying to achieve. This is why we were proud to play host to the Advancing Global Methane Reductions (AGMR) Impact Conference, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on October 3 as part of the inaugural Baku Climate Action Week—a precursor to COP29, which Baku will also host in mid-November.
The AGMR Impact Conference convened representatives from industry, government, the private sector and civil society over four sessions, including three panel discussions:
- The Environmental Defense Fund and Imperial College London led a discussion about the most recent developments in methane science, with the aim of boosting understanding of methane’s impact and the challenges and importance of accurate methane quantification.
- MGP moderated a discussion between bp and SOCAR about the progress, challenges and next steps from the AGMR engagement in Azerbaijan, which sees the two companies work hand-in-hand to bring down Azerbaijan’s overall methane footprint.
- The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative led a panel on the role of technology in supporting measurement, reconciliation and abatement. Experts discussed continuous strides in technology advancement, along with the emerging and evolving roles of satellites, drones and technology providers.
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened experts to analyze the important role support organizations can play when working with companies, countries and technology providers in fostering overall global methane reduction.
All four sessions emphasized the “how” and “why” of reaching near-zero industry methane emissions by 2030 and the tremendous strides being made in Azerbaijan in particular, which could be used as a model for other countries. It was a prime example of why the AGMR is so important: it enables MGP member international oil companies and national oil companies to support countries in accelerating their methane reduction goals, aligned with the Global Methane Pledge. MGP members, including support organizations, work together to enact this support through lessons learned, best practices, technological diffusion and much more.
Learn more about our AGMR initiative here: https://methaneguidingprinciples.org/agmr/
