Canada launches Methane Centre of Excellence

The Canadian government on March 11 officially launched its Methane Centre of Excellence alongside a new call for proposals for methane emissions measurement and mitigation proposals.

With an initial investment of C$30mn from the federal government, the Centre’s primary aim is to work to improve the accuracy, understanding, reporting and mitigation of methane emissions by focusing on key data, measurement techniques and technology development. It will also improve knowledge sharing between Canadian industry leaders, emitting sectors, provincial and territorial governments, and international partners.

“We are taking action to support innovation, reduce emissions and enhance competitiveness across the sectors that are at the forefront of the clean economy,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said. “With over 170 Canadian companies already borne out of Canada's leadership in regulating methane emissions, it is clear that reducing these emissions both fights climate change and creates economic opportunity for Canada.”

The call for proposals will be funded through the federal government’s Energy Innovation Program and will invest largely in projects that develop more effective approaches for methane measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), with remaining funding directed to projects focused on the mitigation of methane slip.

The call will remain open for applications until April 17, 2024. More information can be found here.