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James Turitto: An OGI Field Survey in Ecuador

Event Details:

Thursday, July 14, 2022
12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Location

Online

This event is open to:

Alumni/Friends
Faculty/Staff
General Public
Members
Students

Following the announcement of the Global Methane Pledge at COP26, in November of last year, countries are starting to make efforts to better understand their methane abatement potential and developing regulations to reduce emissions. Clean Air Task Force has been working closely with governments around the world to develop regulations for many years, and since early 2021 began a cooperation agreement with the government of Ecuador. Ecuador's oil and gas sector is dominated by oil production in the Amazon region, they only have one mature gas field offshore. Associated gas is primarily flared (or vented). A local court order in 2021 mandates the Government to implement the Zero Routine Flaring Initiative led by the World Bank (which it signed) and to suspend flaring operations that are in close proximity of local communities within 18 months. Energy efficiency efforts have been made to replace diesel power generators with associated gas generators, but much work remains since these projects compete directly with oil producing proposals with higher rates of return. In coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment and the national oil company, CATF conducted a survey of oil operations in three different production areas using an optical gas camera. I will present the results of the survey and discuss some of the challenges the government, regulators, and operators face to meet the court order and reduce total emissions.

Bio

James Turitto joined CATF as a campaign manager in October 2020 to work with environmental organizations, civil society groups, media, industry, and government officials on methane emissions reduction worldwide. Based in Berlin, Germany, James is currently focused on methane abatement in the oil and gas industry in Europe with some work in Africa and South America. James’ work documenting methane emissions has been featured in news outlets around the world, including Reuters, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Boston Globe, the BBC, Die Zeit, Der Spiegel, La Repubblica, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and Climate Home News.

Prior to joining CATF, James worked as a Senior Research Manager at MIT’s Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) from 2013 to 2020, where he led efforts to promote transparency in social science research and organised regular training on research methods in Kenya, India, and the US for a global cadre of staff. He also served as a Senior Program Officer on a USAID-funded democracy and governance program in South Sudan from 2010 to 2013 for the International Republican Institute. James has a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Vermont.

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