The CA CBMER project aims to strengthen the capacity of Central Asian countries to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. This project will support the development of robust methane emission inventories and monitoring systems, while fostering regional collaboration to share knowledge and experiences. By providing training, guidelines, and practical tools, the project aims to help participating countries comply with international climate obligations, including the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF).

ReCATH (Regional Center for Climate Action Transparency), an initiative under CAREC, is the implementer of this project. ReCATH will provide specialised workshops, resources, and expert guidance, building on its experience in the region since 2021. The project will equip local experts and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to effectively track, reduce, and report methane emissions.

Implementation Period
February 2025 – March 2027

Thematic Focus
Methane Emission Reduction, Capacity Building on Inventory, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification (MRV), Leak Detection, and International Cooperation. Geography – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, with Azerbaijan and Mongolia as observers

Project Objectives

• Trainings for Central Asian stakeholders in tracking, reporting and reducing methane emissions, as well as best available technologies
• Conduct a review of existing national regulations and provide actionable recommendations to align with global methane reduction goals, particularly under the Global Methane Pledge.
• Foster collaboration through the establishment of a Regional Steering Committee (RSC)
• Develop a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis to demonstrate the economic advantages of reducing methane emissions

Key Activities

1. Training & Capacity Building
2. Regulatory Review and Strategic Recommendations
3. Regional Collaboration
4. Economic and Financial Analysis
5. Drafts for Pilot Projects for Innovation

Project Deliverables

• Training materials and manuals based on IPCC guidelines, available in Russian and English.
• Methane inventory and MRV tools for experts in Central Asia.
• Regulatory review report with recommendations for national governments.
• Best practice handbook for methane leak detection and reduction.
• Pilot project proposals targeting the oil, gas, agriculture, and waste management sectors.

Cost-benefit analysis report demonstrating the economic impact of methane emission reductions.

Kravtsova Oxana – ReCATH Project Specialist (okravtsova@carececo.org)