British MPs have approved a motion to declare an environment and climate emergency. While there is no single definition of what the emergency entails, many local areas have stated they want to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
A climate leader
According to the United Nations, we could have just 11 years left to limit a climate change catastrophe.
The UK was the first country to introduce long-term, legally binding climate targets under the Climate Change Act – aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 – and has already cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 per cent since 1990.
However, being carbon-neutral by 2030 is a highly ambitious undertaking. Achieving net-zero emissions will require ministers to urgently outline proposals that will deliver a zero-waste economy. Local councils in the UK have made a start by promising to introduce electric car hubs and build more sustainable homes for the future.
An emissions industry
Emissions from the oil and gas industry are a major contributor to climate change. In 2017, burning fossil fuels for industry processes accounted for 22.2 per cent.
During the production of oil and gas, emissions are released into the atmosphere. To limit the emission of methane, operators can instead choose to flare excess gas that cannot be otherwise safely transported or stored. Emitting excess gas as the less polluting Carbon Dioxide (CO2), gas flaring is not only better for the environment but also an integral safety process that reduces the risk of explosion from pressure build-ups.
To become carbon-neutral by 2030, the UK will need to understand how much gas is being flared and whether emissions are meeting environmental regulatory requirements.
Accurate measurement
The most accurate way to measure flare gas is with ultrasonic technology. In the oil and gas industry flaring is now more tightly regulated and operators must measure and report flaring levels.
While regulators typically require five per cent accuracy, only ultrasonic technology has the potential to keep pace with stricter requirements and changing environments. Using the latest ultrasonic sensing technology, Fluenta’s FGM 160 Flare Gas Meter is used in processing plants across the globe to accurately measure and monitor flare gas.
For more information on Fluenta’s FGM 160 Flare Gas Meter, click here.
