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Methane Emission Reduction: An Application of FUND

Climatic Change volume 57, pages 71–98 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Methane is, after carbon dioxide, the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Governments plan to abate methane emissions. A crude set of estimates of reduction costs is included in FUND, an integratedassessment model of climate change. In a cost-benefit analysis, methane emission reduction is found to be instrumental in controlling the optimal rate of climate change. In a cost-effectiveness analysis, methane emission reduction largely replaces carbon dioxide emission reduction. Methane emission reduction reinforces the case for international cooperation in climate policy, but complicates the efficient allocation of emission reduction efforts. Methane emission reduction at the short run does not help to achieve the ultimate objective of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Marine and Climate Studies, Hamburg University, Troplowitzstrasse 7, 22529, Hamburg, Germany

    Richard S. J. Tol & Roebyem J. Heintz

  2. Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Richard S. J. Tol

  3. Center for Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Global Change, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A

    Richard S. J. Tol & Petronella E. M. Lammers

  4. International Energy Agency, USA

    Roebyem J. Heintz

  5. NOVEM, USA

    Petronella E. M. Lammers

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Tol, R.S.J., Heintz, R.J. & Lammers, P.E.M. Methane Emission Reduction: An Application of FUND . Climatic Change 57, 71–98 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022196517982

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Keywords

  • Climate Change
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Abate
  • Emission Reduction
  • Reduction Cost