Methane emissions from the natural gas industry in China - A systematically accounting based on the bottom-up approach

The comprehensive and meticulous assessment of methane (CH 4 ) emissions stemming from the natural gas industry stands as an imperative endeavor in steering the natural gas industry toward a trajectory of low -carbon sustainability. This study has meticulously constructed detailed facility -level inventories for CH 4 emissions within China's natural gas industry and used a bottom -up approach to fully account for both direct and indirect CH 4 emissions. The findings reveal a notable increase in CH4 emissions within the natural gas industry in China, rising from 2.04 Mt in 2012 to 3.94 Mt in 2021. Regionally, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Xinjiang emerged as the primary emission contributors in 2020, signifying a shift from northeastern and northern China to northwestern and southwestern regions during the 2012-2020 period. The fluctuations in emissions, both overall and regionally, closely align with the evolving landscape of China's natural gas sector. Projections for future CH 4 emissions indicate a continued upward trajectory in tandem with industry growth. Consequently, the study emphasizes the urgency of implementing emission reduction measures in China's natural gas industry. Timely intervention is crucial to ensuring the orderly progression of the industry while effectively curbing the associated CH 4 emissions.