FAQs

Read the frequently asked questions below that cover the who, what, why, when and where of MiQ.

What are the principles that underpin MiQ’s approach?

Transparent, robust standards: The MiQ Standard is published on the MiQ website.

Third-party audited: Impartial auditors or verifiers are a critical ingredient to any certification program.

Scalable and marketable: MiQ’s Certification is traceable using the MiQ Digital Registry. It is also scalable due to being technology-agnostic, and allowing a range of auditors.

Avoids cherry picking: MiQ is encouraging all operators undergoing certification to eventually expand to all their assets.

How does your not-for-profit status work?

MiQ became the MiQ Foundation in late 2021 and will use its not-for-profit status to continue to drive the rapid reduction of methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.

Why focus on methane emissions in the oil and gas sector?

Methane abatement is more vital now than ever, and oil and gas emissions are low-hanging fruit. MiQ supports the transition to a 100% renewable future, but methane abatement is vital to meet global climate targets.

Methane has over 80 times the global warming potential of CO2, so reducing it helps buy time. The oil and gas industry emits the equivalent of 7bn tonnes of CO2 per annum but has the tools to abate up to 5.7bn tonnes by 2030. This would get us nearly 20% of the way toward halving annual GHG emissions and is equivalent to taking 1.2bn cars off the road.

Where does MiQ operate?

MiQ is a globally applicable Standard and Certification system. We have currently certified in North America and are aiming to expand to Europe and Asia in the future. Our offices are in Colorado and London.

Who does MiQ work with?

MiQ works with operators in the oil and gas sector to help them get an independent assessment of their methane emissions performance, and therefore to reduce methane emissions. The operators MiQ currently works with include ExxonMobil, BP, Repsol, EQT, NNE, Comstock, Chesapeake, Ascent Resources, and Seneca Resources.

MiQ has also accredited ten auditors and is looking to work with many more. If you would like to become an MiQ-accredited auditor, please contact us.

Operators undergoing MiQ Certification can work with a wide range of technology partners to achieve certification, ranging from detection to data solutions, analytics, and audit prep and implementation.

We are also looking to work with regulators across the world to help deliver a globally recognised standard for methane emissions. Learn more here.

Who is behind MiQ?

Originally, MiQ was set up as a partnership between RMI, formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute, and global sustainability consultancy  SYSTEMIQ.

MiQ became The MiQ Foundation in late 2021 and will use its status to continue to drive the rapid reduction of methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.

MiQ is headed by Georges Tijbosch and has a board comprising of leaders in the field of climate action.

What’s MiQ's history?

MiQ was established in late 2020 to enable massive reductions in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector with the aim to certify 100% of the world’s natural gas production.

Originally, MiQ was set up as a partnership between RMI, formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute, and global sustainability consultancy SYSTEMIQ.

MiQ is headed by CEO, Georges Tijbosch.

What does MiQ stand for?

MiQ stands for Methane Intelligence.

What is MiQ?

MiQ is the fastest growing and most trusted non-profit methane reduction accelerator. We pioneered the use of Independently Certified Gas (ICG) to accelerate the wholesale reduction of methane emissions and are working with the world’s biggest oil and gas producers to provide the data to drive change.

MiQ was founded by RMI and SYSTEMIQ because methane abatement is more vital now than ever, and oil and gas emissions are low-hanging fruit.

MiQ’s Methane Standard is the only credible way to create drastic improvements. This Standard provides a robust, transparent, and reliable grading method (A-F) to certify natural gas according to its methane emissions performance during production. MiQ-accredited independent auditors perform the assessment.

MiQ’s Certified Supply Chain covers the whole supply chain, allowing operators to assess methane emissions from start to finish.

MiQ has created a market for Independently Certified Gas, and certificates are ready for transacting on the MiQ’s Digital Registry.