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About the Initiative

Launched in 2004, GMI is the only international effort to specifically target methane abatement, recovery, and use by focusing on the five main methane emission sources: agriculture, coal mines, municipal solid waste, oil and gas systems, and wastewater. The Initiative works in concert with other international agreements, including the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Unlike other GHGs, methane is the primary component of natural gas and can be converted to usable energy. The reduction of methane therefore serves as a cost-effective method to reduce GHGs and increase energy security, enhance economic growth, improve air quality and improve worker safety.

Purpose

GMI is an international public-private initiative that advances cost effective, near-term methane abatement and recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source in four sectors: agriculture, coal mines, municipal solid waste, oil and gas systems, and wastewater. These projects reduce GHG emissions in the near term and provide a number of important environmental and economic co-benefits such as:

• Stimulating local economic growth
• Creating new sources of affordable alternative energy
• Improving local air and water quality, with associated public health benefits
• Increasing industrial worker safety

The Initiative reduces the informational, institutional, and other market barriers to project development through the development of tools and resources, training and capacity building, technology demonstration, and direct project support. Special emphasis is given to bringing together all of the actors necessary for project development, including governments, financial institutions, project developers, technology providers, and others. More detailed information about the Initiative can be found in the Initiative Fact Sheet (PDF, 2 pp, 1.8 MB) and Frequently Asked Questions.

Structure and Organization

Select a box in the graphic below for specific member lists.

GMI is organized with the aim of providing support to project development with active engagement from the private sector. The Terms of Reference explains the organizational framework of the Initiative, which consists of a Steering Committee, five technical subcommittees, the Project Network, and the Administrative Support Group (ASG).

• The Steering Committee guides the work of the Initiative and is supported by the ASG. It governs the Initiative's framework, policies and procedures (e.g., Partner Action Planning Guidance (PDF, 7 pp, 191 KB)). Partner Countries may appoint up to two representatives to the Steering Committee. All Partners are considered Steering Committee "observers" from the time they join the Initiative. Twelve months after joining (and any time thereafter), Partner Countries may request to become a Steering Committee member via a letter to the ASG that outlines their engagement (PDF, 1 pp., 16 KB) in the Initiative to-date.
• The technical subcommittees are organized according to sources of methane emissions. Partner Countries appoint technical experts from either the government or the private sector to the technical subcommittees. Contact information for Subcommittee representatives is available here (agriculture, coal mines, municipal solid waste, oil and gas systems, and wastewater). Each subcommittee has developed aSubcommittee Action Plan that identifies the needs, opportunities and priorities for project development globally as well as key barriers and strategies to overcome them. The Subcommittees are now focusing their efforts on assisting with development of Partner Sector Action Plans (PDF, 3 pp, 139 KB) to provide more detailed information to assist project development in each respective Partner Country. The technical subcommittees also facilitate investment and financing opportunities and other cooperative activities and projects that advance the abatement and recovery of methane and its use as an energy source.
• The Project Network consists of organizations from industry, the research community, financial institutions, state and local governments and other expert stakeholders with an interest in developing and supporting methane abatement, recovery, and use projects in Partner Countries. Project Network members share their technical expertise, experience, and financial resources and are encouraged to attend subcommittee meetings and participate in developing sector-specific Action Plans. They also participate in specific activities such as capacity building, technology transfer, and outreach. By participating in the Project Network, these organizations are identifying potential project opportunities, making connections, staying informed and gaining recognition for their achievements. The Project Network membership has increased nearly ten-fold since 2004.
• The Administrative Support Group (ASG) currently hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, serves as the secretariat for the Initiative by providing administrative and logistical support and also serves as an information clearinghouse.

Benefits

As a result of its efforts, the Initiative expects to achieve significant economic, environmental, and energy benefits. When GMI was launched in 2004, it was estimated that by 2015, the Initiative had the potential to deliver estimated annual methane emission reductions of more than 180 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2E), or the equivalent of:

• More than 760 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
• CO2 emissions from nearly 420 million barrels of oil consumed.
• Annual emissions from 76 500-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plants.

If achieved, these reductions could lead to stabilized or even declining levels of global atmospheric concentrations of methane. More information about the benefits associated with methane emission reductions can be found in the About Methane section of this website or in the Global Methane Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities fact sheet (PDF, 4 pp, 899 KB).

Terms of Reference

These Terms of Reference, are available in English (PDF, 45 pp, 1.42 MB), Chinese (PDF, 5 pp., 149 KB), Russian (PDF, 6 pp., 151 KB), andSpanish (PDF, 6 pp., 126 KB).

Terms of Reference for the Global Methane Initiative

The undersigned national government entities (collectively referred to as "the Partners") set forth the following Terms of Reference for the Global Methane Initiative (referred to as "the Initiative"). The Initiative serves as a framework with the goal of achieving global reductions of anthropogenic methane emissions through partnerships among developed countries, developing countries, and countries with economies in transition in coordination with the private sector, researchers, development banks, and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Purpose

To create a voluntary, non-binding framework for international cooperation to reduce methane emissions and to advance the recovery and use of methane as a valuable clean energy source to increase energy security, enhance economic growth, improve air quality, and improve industrial safety. The Initiative will focus on the development of strategies and markets for the abatement, recovery, and use of methane through technology development, demonstration, deployment and diffusion, implementation of effective policy frameworks, identification of ways and means to support investment, and removal of barriers to collaborative project development and implementation. The Initiative will serve to complement and support Partners' efforts implemented under the United Nations' Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Functions

The Partners will seek to:

2.1 Identify and promote areas of bilateral, multilateral, and private sector collaboration on methane abatement, recovery, and use in the areas of agriculture, coal mining, municipal solid waste, oil and natural gas systems, and wastewater treatment, and in other areas as agreed to by the Partners.

2.2 Develop improved emissions estimates and identify the largest relevant emission sources to facilitate project development.

2.3 Identify cost-effective opportunities to recover methane emissions for energy production and potential financing mechanisms to encourage investment.

2.4 Identify and address barriers to project development and improve the legal, regulatory, financial, institutional, technological and other conditions necessary to attract investment in methane abatement, recovery and utilization projects.

2.5 Identify and implement collaborative projects aimed at addressing specific challenges to methane abatement and recovery, such as raising awareness in key industries, removing barriers to project development and implementation, identifying project opportunities, and demonstrating and deploying technologies. Partners will also work together to share lessons learned from these cooperative activities.

2.6 Foster cooperation with the private sector, research organizations, development banks, and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations.

2.7 Integrate and coordinate Initiative activities with related activities and initiatives.

2.8Support the identification and deployment of best management practices in the abatement, recovery, and use of methane.

2.9 Work to improve scientific understanding in relation to the abatement, recovery, and use of methane.

2.10 Develop and implement action plans that outline a series of concrete activities and actions that directly support the core goals and functions of the Initiative. Action plans can be useful tools in advancing project implementation, facilitating investment, and creating appropriate policy frameworks that support methane abatement, recovery, and use.

2.11 Communicate their progress and accomplishments in implementing action plans and undertaking other activities to support the Initiative's goal.

2.12 Periodically assess the effectiveness of the Initiative's efforts to achieve its goal.

Organization

3.1 A Steering Committee, Administrative Support Group, and Subcommittees are to be formed. The Subcommittees will focus on the following focal areas: Agriculture, Coal Mining, Municipal Solid Waste, Oil and Gas Systems, and Wastewater Treatment. The Steering Committee may establish additional Subcommittees, working groups, or enlarge the scope of existing Subcommittees in other focal areas as agreed. Each Subcommittee will create and support a Project Network.

3.2 The Steering Committee will govern the overall framework, policies and procedures of the Initiative; annually review progress of the Initiative; and provide guidance to the Administrative Support Group and Subcommittees. The Steering Committee should meet at least once per year, at times and locations to be determined by its appointed representatives. The Steering Committee will make decisions by consensus.

3.3 Appendix A lists those Partners that may appoint up to two representatives to the Steering Committee. Appendix A may be amended by consensus of the Steering Committee.

3.4 The Subcommittees will be responsible for guidance and assessment of area-specific activities and engaging representatives of the private sector, development banks, researchers and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations. Each Subcommittee will work to implement its program of action, offer assistance to Partners in the development and implementation of their action plans, provide guidance on project identification, identify and address key barriers and issues for project development, address market assessment and reform issues, facilitate investment and financing opportunities, and report on progress. Subcommittees will report to the Steering Committee. Subcommittees will meet as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, making use of electronic media (including email, teleconference and videoconference) as appropriate in order to minimize travel. Each Subcommittee will make decisions by consensus.

3.5 The Subcommittees will be comprised of representatives from interested Partners. Each Partner may appoint up to three members to each Subcommittee. Each Subcommittee will select two Partners as co-chairs, ideally one from a developed and the other from a developing country or country with an economy in transition. At their discretion, Subcommittees may select one additional co-chair. Every three years, Subcommittees should review their leadership to provide other Partners the opportunity to act as co-chair.

3.6 A Project Network will be created under each Subcommittee to serve as an informal mechanism to facilitate communication, project development and implementation, and private sector involvement. The Project Network will be key to reaching out to and organizing the efforts of the private sector, governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Project Network will be comprised of representatives from local governments, the private sector, the research community, development banks, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations. Those interested in becoming partners in the Project Network will sign and submit a Project Network Membership Agreement.

3.7 The Administrative Support Group will serve as the principal coordinator of the Initiative's communications and activities. The focus of the Group will be administrative. The Group will not act on matters of substance except as specifically instructed by the Steering Committee. Specifically, the Group will:

3.7.1 Organize the meetings of the Initiative,

3.7.2 Arrange special activities such as teleconferences and workshops,

3.7.3 Receive and forward new membership requests to the Steering Committee,

3.7.4 Coordinate communications of Initiative activities, progress, and accomplishments,

3.7.5 Act as a clearinghouse for information for the Initiative,

3.7.6 Provide support for activities related to the Project Network, and

3.7.7 Perform such other tasks as the Steering Committee directs.

3.8 The Administrative Support Group will be supported and hosted by the United States, at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C. Another Partner's offer to support and host the Group will be accepted by the consensus of the Steering Committee.

3.9 Each Partner will designate an Administrative Liaison to serve as its principal point of contact to the Administrative Support Group. The Group will work with the Liaisons to ensure an adequate flow of information between the Initiative and individual Partners.

3.10 The Administrative Support Group may, if appropriate, involve personnel employed by the Partners to assist in specific activities undertaken by the Group. Such personnel will be remunerated by their respective employers and will remain subject to their employers' conditions of employment.

Membership

4.1 These Terms of Reference establish a framework for voluntary cooperation and do not create any legally binding obligations between or among the Partners. Each Partner is expected to conduct the activities contemplated by these Terms of Reference in accordance with the laws under which it operates and the international instruments to which it is a party.

4.2 The Steering Committee may invite other national governmental entities to join the Initiative through endorsement of the Terms of Reference.

Funding

5.1 Participation in the Initiative is on a voluntary basis. Each Partner may, at its discretion, contribute funds, personnel and other resources to the Initiative subject to the laws, regulations and policies of the Partner. Any costs arising from the activities contemplated in these Terms of Reference are to be borne by the Partner that incurs them, unless other arrangements have been made.

5.2 These Terms of Reference do not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by law or equity against the Partner, their officers or employees, or any other person. No Partner should submit a claim for compensation to another Partner for activities it carries out under these Terms of Reference. These Terms of Reference do not direct or apply to any person outside of the governments of the Partners.

Commencement, Modification, Termination, Extension, and Withdrawal

6.1 Commencement, Modification and Termination

6.1.1 These Terms of Reference commence on 1 October 2010 and will continue in effect for 5 years unless extended or terminated by the Steering Committee.1

6.1.2 These Terms of Reference may be modified at any time by consensus of the Steering Committee.

6.2 Extension and Withdrawal

6.2.1 By consensus, the Steering Committee may extend these Terms of Reference for additional periods.

6.2.2 A Partner may withdraw from the Initiative by giving written notice to the other Partners and the Administrative Support Group 90 days prior to its anticipated withdrawal.

Appendix A

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• European Commission
• Finland
• Germany
• Ghana
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Poland
• Republic of Korea
• Russia
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States

1 The Terms of Reference were extended six months until 1 April 2016 by consensus of the Steering Committee on 21 November 2014.