Development of MRV for Carbon Management Activities in Gas Distribution Companies, Case Study: Urban Methane Emission Reduction in Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, with the growing importance of environmental issues, especially greenhouse gases and global warming, carbon management became more crucial. Several organizations and agreements are being legislated and established in this regard. One of the most important steps in carbon management is the MRV. MRV consists of three sections: measurement, reporting, and verification, which are essential for validating emission reduction data. Natural gas distribution companies in Iran are one of the most significant sources of carbon emissions. So, in this project, an MRV document for carbon management activities in gas distribution sector was prepared. According to our investigations, consumers’ equipment plays a major role in methane emission and there is a significant amount of direct leakage from consumer regulators, which can be easily controlled and reduced. As a pilot and case study in the East Azerbaijan Province Gas Distribution Company, after monitoring common equipment and applying mitigation actions, it was observed that almost 50,000 kg/day of CO2 equivalent methane leakage could be prevented in a sample urban area of Tabriz, Iran. The IPMVP protocol was used to validate the data at all stages of the MRV document preparation. This protocol is comprehensive and sufficiently compatible with the project. It should be noted that up to now, no MRV documents have been prepared in Iran. This was the beginning of the comprehensive implementation of this MRV at the National Iranian Gas Company level.