Post Date: 16 October 2026

AIS Sustainability Seminar Series: Methane Challenges and Carbon Sequestration Opportunities in China’s Shale Gas Development

Abstract

China’s shale gas industry has expanded rapidly and is expected to support energy security and the transition away from coal. However, its climate benefits depend on effective methane emission control and credible carbon sequestration pathways. This talk presents recent research addressing both the environmental challenges and decarbonization opportunities in China’s shale gas development. Methane emissions from major shale gas production regions are assessed using a two-tiered mobile measurement approach that combines field observations with atmospheric transport modelling. The results show that emissions are highly unevenly distributed, with a small number of sites contributing disproportionately to total emissions, underscoring the importance of targeted monitoring and mitigation. Beyond methane control, the talk further examines how carbon sequestration across the shale gas value chain could reduce life-cycle emissions and potentially transform shale gas development from a carbon source into a geological carbon sink. Integrated life-cycle and techno-economic analyses reveal substantial sequestration potential, while also highlighting strong regional differences in feasibility due to geological conditions, infrastructure, and carbon market incentives. These findings provide a scientific basis for methane regulation, carbon management, and more sustainable shale gas development in China.

Biography

Prof. Guo is a Tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University and a Research Fellow at the Asian Energy Studies Centre. She received her B.Sc. and M.Econ. from Renmin University of China, and her Ph.D. in Geography from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She was also a visiting research fellow at Harvard University. Her research examines the energy-environment nexus and policy pathways toward sustainability, focusing on techno-economic, environmental, and societal assessments of energy systems, including unconventional energy and emerging low-carbon technologies. She has published as first or corresponding author in leading journals, including Joule, Nature Communications, and Environmental Science & Technology. She also serves as an Editor for Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances.

Registration: https://ust.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dj2OKQPT31cNDjo