Greenhouse Gas Supply Chain Emissions Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, Verification Framework

There is considerable activity underway related to the measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with natural gas. While these programs, approaches, and protocols are advancing, there is a need to address gaps and promote consistency across platforms in order to provide market participants with comparable and reliable information about GHG emissions and intensity. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE), Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is engaging with importing and exporting countries, and U.S. stakeholders, to explore the need for a shared and broadly credible global framework for estimating GHG emissions across the natural gas supply chain.

DOE is not introducing or endorsing any policy measures with respect to the certification of natural gas at this time. However, we will continue to engage with our international partners and U.S. stakeholders to forge broader agreement on a MMRV framework needed to help foster continuous reductions in GHG emissions from natural gas production, transport, and use over time.

Recent Developments

FECM has been engaging and collaborating with representatives from importing and exporting governments and regions and announced the formation of the GHG Supply Chain Emissions Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) Framework Working Group in November 2023. The Working Group is exploring the development of an International MMRV Framework that could provide market participants with verified information about life cycle GHG emissions from production through delivery. The Working Group has been convening throughout 2023 and 2024 with the goal of:

• Identifying key elements of a MMRV framework that could enable credible verification of methane, carbon dioxide, and other GHG emissions across the international natural gas supply chain;
• Building on the strengths of existing certification and reporting approaches already operating in the marketplace around the world; and
• Addressing gaps and harmonizing approaches to safeguard integrity, enhance credibility, and improve accuracy, completeness, and transparency of reported emissions.

On October 3, 2024, DOE announced progress made during 2024 to develop the International MMRV Framework. The International MMRV Working Group has developed a consensus-based design architecture to guide the current technical development of the various elements of a future MMRV system; and established multiple technical sub-groups consisting of a diverse mix of international government technical experts to guide the development process.

Public Webinars and Events 

FECM hosted its most recent public webinar on the MMRV initiative October 11, 2024, to share recent updates and progress in furthering these efforts and provide stakeholders an opportunity to provide additional feedback.

Opportunities for Feedback

FECM appreciates the feedback received to date and welcomes additional input from stakeholders. Input on this initiative or requests for additional information can be submitted via [email protected] 

Additional Information

Potential elements of the MMRV Framework include:

• Common Criteria: Criteria to ensure rigor of quantification and reporting of GHG emissions and a process for independent certification or verification of emission estimates and adherence to criteria.
• Data Transparency and Tools: Expectations for collecting and reporting data consistent with the needs of natural gas market participants and a transparent and consistent life cycle analysis tool for calculating and reporting supply chain data quality and GHG emission intensity.
• Accreditation Process: A process to confirm certifiers are employing consistent protocols, as identified through the framework, including a mechanism for independent oversight of the accreditation process.

The MMRV Framework is not a regulatory process and countries and regions participating in its development are not committing to use of it in a regulatory process. The MMRV Framework is intended to improve the accuracy, completeness, and transparency of reported emissions in the marketplace and drive emission reductions across the natural gas supply chain.

Last Updated: October 15, 2024