The GAINS Model for Greenhouse Gases: Emissions, Control Potentials and Control Costs for Methane

This report estimates current and future emissions of methane in 42 regions in Europe, assesses the potential for reducing emissions and quantifies the costs of the available emission control measures. The report identifies 28 control measures, ranging from animal feed changes over waste management options to various approaches for gas recovery and utilization. For each of these options, the report examines country-specific applicability and removal efficiency and determines the costs.
As a result, methane emissions in Europe are estimated for the year 1990 at 64,200 kt CH4. Assuming the penetration of emission controls as laid down in the current legislation, emissions would decline up to 2020 by 11,700 kt CH4 per year. Full application of the presently available emission control measures could achieve an additional decline in European methane emissions by 24,000 kt per year. 75 percent of this potential could be attained at a cost of less than two billion Euros/year or 50 Euros/t CO2-equivalent, while the further 5,000 kt CH4/year would require costs of 12 billion Euros/year.

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