Measurements of London’s atmosphere show the city is releasing more of the potent greenhouse gas methane, primarily from natural gas leaks.
Measurements of London’s atmosphere show the city is releasing more of the potent greenhouse gas methane, primarily from natural gas leaks.
The measurements, performed by researchers at Imperial College London, also show that most methane released in London is the result of natural gas infrastructure leaks, rather than landfill sites as previously thought.
Methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and produces a stronger warming effect, but it stays in the atmosphere for less time. Rising methane emissions worldwide are a major concern and reducing them would help tackle climate change.
The results of the new study, published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, show London's natural gas infrastructure is leaking more methane than estimated, and the cumulation of lots of small leaks is adding up to considerable extra methane emissions from the city.
Read more at Imperial College London
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