National Carbon Reduction Strategy in the Energy Sector through Methane Leakage MMRV
Institute for Future Strategy Issue Brief Vol. 54
“National Energy Sector Carbon Reduction Strategy through Methane Leakage MMRV”
This issue brief examines the impact of methane leakage on climate change, international trends in methane mitigation, and strategies for reducing methane emissions in Korea’s energy sector.
The brief highlights that methane is a major greenhouse gas with a far stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide, emphasizing that reducing methane emissions represents one of the most effective short-term climate mitigation measures for slowing the pace of global warming. In particular, it explains how the international community is strengthening methane reduction and monitoring systems through cooperative frameworks such as the Global Methane Pledge, UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), OGMP 2.0, and the IEA Methane Tracker.
The brief also focuses on the significant short-term climate impact of methane leakage in the energy sector and analyses how major economies are strengthening related regulations through the institutionalisation of Monitoring, Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) systems and Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) frameworks. It further suggests that emerging methane-related regulations in the European Union and the United States could function as new non-tariff trade barriers in future LNG import and export processes.
Meanwhile, based on observational research conducted by a Seoul National University research team at domestic LNG power plants, the brief introduces findings showing that actual methane leakage levels are significantly higher than existing estimates based on conventional emission factors. Accordingly, it proposes the establishment of a Korea-specific MMRV framework and the introduction of “good regulations,” such as mandatory LDAR systems. The brief emphasizes that these measures should not be viewed merely as environmental regulations, but also as important strategies for energy efficiency, industrial competitiveness, and international regulatory compliance.
Finally, the brief calls for the establishment of a collaborative governance framework involving industry, government, and academia, as well as the creation of continuous cooperation platforms such as a Methane Reduction Dialogue (MRD). Through these efforts, it proposes directions for developing a systematic and effective national methane reduction strategy.
