The University of Texas at Austin will be home to a new multidisciplinary research and education initiative based in its Cockrell School of Engineering, the Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab (EEMDL), which will address the growing need for accurate, timely, and clear accounting of greenhouse-gas emissions across global oil and natural gas supply chains. Data and analysis from this new endeavor will help both public and private institutions develop climate strategies and actions informed by accurate, verified data, identifying opportunities for emissions reductions.
The lab will work with stakeholders to establish comprehensive, reliable, transparent, measurement-based greenhouse-gas emissions assessments of oil and gas supply chains. The research products, consisting of protocols, software tools and emissions data sets, will be updated regularly. The lab also will offer education and training programs to help oil and gas operators, government agencies, and other stakeholders use the tools and data.
Several major energy companies that also are focusing on the accuracy of emissions data are sponsoring EEMDL, which will be a $50 million project. Cheniere, EQT, and Williams are the initial sponsors, with more stakeholders from the oil and gas industry, financial sector, and nongovernmental organizations expected to join.
More than 100 countries, including the US and members of the European Union, have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 as part of the Global Methane Pledge. EEMDL will provide analysis and data sets in support of the objectives of the Global Methane Pledge and work collaboratively with other methane initiatives. Recent regulations in the US, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, mandate the development of measurement-based greenhouse-gas emissions inventories. Domestic and international natural gas customers and the financial sector are asking for better accounting and transparency related to supply chains emissions.
“The Energy Emissions Modeling and Data Lab led by The University of Texas at Austin will provide credible greenhouse-gas emissions assessments from energy supply chains,” said Roger Bonnecaze, dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. “This critical information will support the development of robust public policies based on sound science, while training and educating stakeholders to address this complex problem.”