In a recent interview with Picarro, Amanda Harmon, Director of Zero Emissions Systems at GTI Veritas, spoke about the new global standards co-produced by Veritas and OGMP 2.0. These new international standards aim to create a measurement informed inventory at various levels, incorporating a global standardized approach to drive advanced gas detection quantification, and fostering collaboration.

Harmon emphasized the importance of using Picarro's cutting-edge technology to identify and reduce emissions across the value chain, identifying Picarro as a natural fit. With Picarro not just participating but actively shaping the framework of this partnership, it underscores the company's pivotal contribution—authoring the very guidelines that drive emission reduction strategies. Picarro firmly believes that while accurate reporting of emissions is a vital initial phase, the ultimate goal lies in effectively reducing those emissions. This approach underscores the company's commitment to leading the charge towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

The shift from using emission factors based on work done in the 90s to a measurement informed inventory utilizing modern technology has been significant. Harmon believes that 2024 is a turning point where available data will be used to create inventories while contributing to global reduction efforts.

Harmon also spoke about the broad commitment to reduce methane emissions, not only from the regulatory side but also from investors and the communities where they operate. The energy system of the future is also a topic, discussing the crucial role that natural gas will play.

Lastly, Harmon discussed their collaboration with United Nations Environment Program and the launch of Veritas source level emissions, aiming to provide a strategy to support regulations in various countries and create a measurement informed inventory at the source level. Harmon also emphasized that the time is NOW. 2024 will be a turning point for the natural gas distribution industry. It is thanks to the effort of Veritas x OGMP 2.0 collaboration that there is now an emerging international standard solution for reporting. 

Key Moments: 

• Amanda discusses the new protocols aligned with the work of OGMP 2.0 to create a measurement informed inventory on different levels: site, facility, and base level. [00:00] 

• The goal is to create a measurement informed inventory using technology to drive gas detection, quantification, and collaboration efforts. [00:23]

• Amanda emphasizes the need to understand where emissions are coming from across the value chain using available technology. She mentions the urgency to reduce emissions, as reiterated in the Paris climate agreement in 2016. [00:48] 

• Veritas serves as a ten-step guidance for end users on how to create a measurement-informed inventory. [01:09] 

• Amanda talks about how emission inventories were crafted in the nineties based on emission factors and activity factors. She marvels at how technology has improved since then. [01:31] 

• Amanda declares 2024 as the turning point for implementing Veritas and utilizing all the tools available to create a measurement-informed inventory. [02:00] 

• She moves into discussing gas detection and measurement and highlights the industry's commitment to reducing methane emissions. [11:59] 

• Amanda also talks about the drive for greater innovation and technology implementation in reducing methane emissions, as prompted by different stakeholders, including regulators, investors, and communities. [13:03] 

• She presents a holistic view of the energy system, emphasizing the role of natural gas in 2050. [13:39] 

• Collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and OGMP 2.0 is highlighted to create a measurement-informed inventory at the source level. [15:54] 

• Amanda wraps up by discussing the strategy to support regulations from different countries in creating a measurement-informed inventory at a source level to reduce point source emissions. [16:21]