Ecuador
Introduction
Ecuador joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) in 2006 and serves on the Biogas Subcommittee.
Ecuador is an active participant in methane mitigation activities and has implemented national policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These measures include commitments to flaring reductions in the oil and gas sector, preparing a national oil and gas methane inventory, improving the country’s renewable energy infrastructure, and making advancements in methane emissions monitoring. Ecuador has a strong international presence on climate action and participates in numerous global collaborations to tackle methane emissions.
Ecuador is currently active on the Biogas 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
In 2012, the agriculture sector was the top methane contributor in Ecuador with 66% of the total methane emissions. Eighty-three percent of methane emissions from the agriculture sector came from enteric fermentation, followed by emissions from rice cultivation at 14%.
Methane Emissions by Sector, 2012
Source: Ecuador Ministry of the Environment, Ecuador’s Third National Communication, May 2017.
Methane Commitments and Plans
Methane mitigation efforts in Ecuador are guided by national and international commitments and plans. Ecuador also engages in partnerships dedicated to addressing methane emissions.
National
- Ecuador launched its National Transition Plan towards Decarbonization in 2021 which reaffirms its commitments to climate change and defines the country’s roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Ecuador submitted its first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) in 2019 and committed to reduce between 37.5% to 45.8% of their greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Their NDC specifically acknowledges methane.
- Ecuador published its Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2017 which documents trends in methane emissions and mitigation efforts.
- The First Biennial Update Report of Ecuador, published in 2017, documents Ecuador’s climate mitigation efforts including methane capture projects, their national greenhouse gas inventory, and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) activities.
International
- Ecuador joined the Global Methane Pledge in 2021, committing to reducing global methane emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.
Methane Actions
The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by Ecuador to address methane, organized by GMI sector.
Biogas Sector
- Ecuador partnered with the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) to develop and execute an action plan to implement waste-to-energy technology including anaerobic digesters. (2015)
Oil & Gas Sector
- Ecuador participates in the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 Initiative program which is focused on reducing flaring from the oil and gas sector. (2019)
Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions
Explore the following websites to learn more about the government ministries addressing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in Ecuador, including methane-specific programs.
GMI Delegates
| Committee/Subcommittee | Delegate Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Biogas Subcommittee | Andrés Intriago | Municipality of Guayaquil |
| Biogas Subcommittee | Roberto Urquizo | Government of the Province of Guayas |