Optimizing fugitive methane emissions abatement: a normative efficiency evaluation within the Italian natural gas distribution sector

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential which expresses itself over short time horizons, posing significant challenges to global climate objectives. While extensive research has focussed on upstream methane emissions from extractions and production processes, the downstream distribution phase remains for the most part unexplored, yet crucial area for intervention. This thesis addresses this research gap by investigating mitigation strategies dealing with fugitive methane emissions arising from the natural gas distribution sector, using the Italian network as a case study. Leveraging data from a leading Italian distribution company managing over 14.000 kilometers, serving more than one million customers, the study evaluates Company performances and practices against existing national and European guidelines and regulatory frameworks. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research explores actionable policies and innovative strategies to mitigate methane emissions, with a holistic evaluation of the impacts. The analysis reveals that aging infrastructure, material-specific vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in current practices are the main contributors to emissions. Prioritizing leak detection based on environmental impact can yield abatement benefits, albeit safety considerations and investment constraints must be addressed. Moreover, proactive leak detection emerges as a more effective strategy, highlighting the need for regulatory alignment and innovation incentives. This study highlights the critical need for policy harmonization, emphasizing stricter compliance measures to address methane emissions effectively. Financial incentives for technological innovation are essential to support detection efforts, and additionally, enhanced citizen engagement mechanisms can improve detection rates and raise public awareness. This can be achieved by adopting innovative policies and fostering collaboration among policymakers, distribution companies, and end-users; immediate and lasting progress is achievable. Mitigating fugitive methane emissions in the distribution phase represents a critical and actionable possibility to achieve climate goals, and this research offers clear recommendations for bridging the gap between technical potential and policy implementation.