
In taking advantage of satellite monitoring technologies and enhancing regulatory frameworks, the UK has the opportunity to strengthen its international position in methane mitigation. Done well, this presents substantial opportunity for the UK space community and key government agencies to lead in methane monitoring and reduction.
But how can they do this in the most effective way, without putting the UK’s methane intensive sectors under additional scrutiny and undue reputational damage, downgrading their position in the global markets?
Change is coming for UK businesses who trade with the EU. The European Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions, focuses on cutting methane emissions in the EU and globally[1]. As a result, the EU has brought in three complementary frameworks: the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and new EU methane legislation. These frameworks aim to remove the ability for EU companies offshoring their methane emissions. The impact on UK businesses trading directly or indirectly with the EU is significant, and means they will in 2025, need to measure and disclose their methane emissions.
This does however, present an opportunity for the UK. If we were to maintain alignment with EU frameworks, this would ensure a greater number of UK businesses take steps to measure, report on, and in time reduce, methane emissions. It would put UK businesses ahead of other nations in their ability to continue to trade with the EU, with the dual benefit of contributing to UK climate goals.
How quickly and easily could the UK robustly monitor methane emissions?
The ability to measure and report on methane is already here through complementary terrestrial leak detection and repair (LDAR) survey and enhanced satellite monitoring technologies[2],[3]. This enables accurate and transparent emissions data and is well-placed to underpin compliance, which would in turn drive positive environmental behaviour change.
So far, LDAR has a business-as-usual place in the market, but its utilisation is sporadic and generally linked to physical asset management. Mandatory systemic methene emissions tracking would lead to disclosure and target setting, in line with ESG first principles. Satellite technologies are widely used in O&G but are yet to play a significant role in other methane intensive sectors including waste to energy, livestock agriculture and mining.
The European Commission's initiatives on methane emissions highlight the critical role of satellites in monitoring and verification, specifically: “Satellite technology is key to identifying these [methane] hotspots and guiding leak detection and repair on the ground as well as reconciling bottom-up data from company reporting”.
The UK Space Agency's methane monitoring program provides accurate monitoring and verification of concentrated methane emissions. It represents first-of-a-kind access for UK organisations, providing high-resolution methane detections and quantification of UK and international sites[4],[5].
There is therefore a significant opportunity for the UK space community, in providing future satellite hardware, launches and data insights. Mandatory reporting of methane could help grow the UK space sector. The technology is well-placed to deliver this, and the industry is ready to step up.
Would mandatory monitoring in the UK result in methane-reduction, in practice?
Demonstrating complementarity with terrestrial LDAR monitoring, “improved top-down data from satellites will help to target bottom-up leak detection on the ground as well as aerial monitoring.”[6]. Writing these technologies specifically into EU legislation and detailing thresholds above which constitute a reportable fugitive emission, creates transparency and accountability and is expected to directly result in methane-reduction. The establishment of more stringent behaviour change also passes directly through regulation – which has included placing restrictions on venting and flaring in O&G[7].
What are we already doing in the UK?
In the UK, DEFRA has already committed to reducing methane emissions from livestock through methane-suppressing feed[8],[9]. The Environment Agency's Methane Action Plan for 2024-2026 outlines strategies to reduce methane emissions from sectors including wastewater and anaerobic digestion through capture and energy generation. This in turn transitions the energy mix toward sustainable sources and emphasises the importance of independent and transparent monitoring[10]. These measures align with recommendations from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and reflect a broader commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050[11].
Overall, the UK government's efforts to reduce methane emissions, reflect a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. By taking this further and forging greater alignment with the CSRD and new EU methane legislation, the UK can strengthen its position in methane emissions mitigation.
The UK Space Agency, Satellite Applications Catapult and GHGsat are leading in this critical area. The programme approach of free access to data for R&D and options for imaging new sites creates a unique opportunity to build digital services for ESG reporting and ESG risk management. These insights and services will form the bedrock of robust ESG disclosure, detailed and verifiable compliance, and a strong contribution to the UK’s climate goals.
[1] EUR-Lex - 52020DC0663 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[2] Regulation - EU - 2024/1787 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[3] EUR-Lex - 52020DC0663 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[4] Methane Monitoring - Satellite Applications Catapult
[5] AMT - First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK (copernicus.org)
[6] EUR-Lex - 52020DC0663 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[7] Regulation - EU - 2024/1787 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[8] Further action to cut methane emissions from livestock - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[9] PRESS RELEASE : Government seeks views on reducing livestock methane production – UKPOL.CO.UK
[10] Environment Agency Methane Action Plan 2024 to 2026 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
[11] 2022 Progress Report to Parliament - Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk)