Cote d'Ivoire
Introduction
Colombia is a founding member of the Global Methane Initiative (GMI), launched in 2004, and provides ongoing support by participating in the Coal Mines Subcommittee and Biogas Subcommittee.
Colombia is actively participating in global initiatives to combat climate change through a range of comprehensive strategies and plans. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, Colombia recognizes the critical impact of methane emissions on climate change and is dedicated to reducing these emissions across multiple sectors. By implementing national policies and commitments, Colombia is striving to achieve its own climate goals while also contributing to global efforts in climate action and sustainability.
Colombia is currently active on the Biogas Subcommittee and the Coal Mines Subcommittee.
- Introduction
- Methane Emissions Summary
- Methane Commitments and Plans
- Methane Actions
- Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
- GMI Delegates
Last Updated: October 2024
Methane Emissions Summary
According to the Third Biennial Update Report of Colombia, published in 2022, methane emissions totaled 73,631 gigagrams carbon dioxide equivalent (GgCO2e) in 2018.Methane Emissions Trend by Sector, 1990-2022
Source: Colombia’s Third Biennial Update Report, 2022. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Annex%20BUR3%20COLOMBIA.pdf
Methane Commitments and Plans
Methane mitigation efforts in Colombia are guided by national and subnational commitments and plans. Colombia also participates in international partnerships dedicated to addressing methane emissions.
National
- Colombia’s National Strategy for the Mitigation of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, published in 2018, aims to reduce emissions of methane and other harmful pollutants. Key initiatives include recovering methane from coal mines, minimizing fugitive emissions from oil and gas production, and enhancing waste management practices to reduce emissions from landfills.
International
Colombia supports and engages with international climate efforts to address methane challenges.
- Colombia joined the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (COP26), committing to reducing global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
- Colombia has been a partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition since 2012, supporting activities to reduce methane and other short-lived climate pollutants.
- Colombia’s state-run energy company Ecopetrol become a signatory to Aiming for Zero Methane Emissions Initiative, launched by the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) to encourage the oil and gas industry to cut methane emissions to near zero. (2023)
Methane Actions
The following highlights a sampling of actions taken in Colombia to address methane, organized by GMI sector.
Biogas Sector
- An investment of $99.9 million has been approved to enhance the resilience of Colombia's agriculture and livestock sectors, aiming to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This funding will support the transition to sustainable agriculture practices and reduce emissions. (December 2022)
Coal Mines Sector
- The Ministry of Mines and Energy is working with CCAC to update its MRV reporting for the mining sector, working to identify baselines and indicators to evaluate the results from emissions reduction measures. This includes a methane emission calculation that requires a potential analysis and a definition of mitigation options that could be implemented in this sector. (2024)
Oil & Gas Sector
- Colombia became the first South American country to issue regulations for methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. (2022)
- Colombia implemented a gas flaring project aimed at mitigating methane emissions. The initiative decreased flaring from 1 billion cubic meters in 2012 to 300 million in 2021. This initiative has helped avoid approximately 1.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, supported by strict regulations that prohibit unauthorized flaring and promote methane management. (May 2022)
Cross-Sector
- Law 1715 of 2014 defined Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Sources (FNCER) as a mechanism to promote energy generation from renewable resources, thereby diversifying Colombia’s energy matrix and supporting sustainable development. This law also encompasses the production of energy from waste. (May 2014)
Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
Explore the following websites to learn more about the Colombian ministries that address greenhouse gas emissions and methane-specific programs.
GMI Delegates
| Committee/Subcommittee | Delegate Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Biogas Subcommittee | Jairo Homez | Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia |