The tools are here, the tech is proven, and the clock is ticking; cutting methane isn’t just possible, it’s profitable. The world now faces a choice: let this opportunity leak away, or seal the future with smart, swift action.
By Staff Writer
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is urging global leaders and industries to fast-track efforts to tackle methane emissions, highlighting that effective and affordable solutions already exist and could significantly boost both climate progress and energy security.
In its newly released Global Methane Tracker 2025, the IEA reports that methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector remain persistently high. However, recent advances in satellite monitoring and emissions data collection are opening new doors for accountability and targeted mitigation.
A Climate and Energy Opportunity
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is responsible for about a third of current global warming. According to the IEA, addressing methane leaks, flaring, and emissions from abandoned fossil fuel sites offers one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to curb near-term global temperature rise.
“Reducing methane emissions delivers a double win,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
“It cuts greenhouse gas pollution and strengthens energy markets by recovering lost gas. With the right policies and partnerships, we can unlock this potential today.”
The IEA estimates that 70% of methane emissions from the energy sector could be eliminated using existing technologies. A large portion of these fixes—such as repairing leaks or capturing vented gas—are not only affordable but can pay for themselves within a year by selling the recovered gas. In 2024 alone, improved methane management could have brought an additional 100 billion cubic metres of natural gas to market—equivalent to the annual exports of Norway.
Better Data, Smarter Solutions
Methane detection and reporting have vastly improved, with over 25 satellites now monitoring emissions from space. These tools are helping identify super-emitters and support targeted responses. Still, the IEA notes that implementation lags behind ambition, with only 5% of global oil and gas output currently meeting near-zero methane emission standards.
But there’s a clear path forward. The Tracker emphasises that sharing best practices, improving transparency, and enforcing proven standards across the industry could significantly close the gap between the best and worst performers. Some companies are already setting a high bar—achieving methane emissions intensity 100 times lower than their peers.
Untapped gains from abandoned sites
New in this year’s Tracker is data on methane released from abandoned oil and gas wells and coal mines, which together emitted around 8 million tonnes of methane last year—making them the fourth-largest fossil methane source globally. Many of these sites can be sealed or managed with relatively low-cost interventions.
Scaling solutions for a cooler planet
Current national and corporate pledges now cover around 80% of global oil and gas production, signaling growing momentum. But to fully realize the climate benefits, these pledges must be translated into verifiable action.
By scaling up targeted methane abatement across the fossil fuel sector, the world could prevent a 0.1°C rise in global temperatures by 2050; a climate impact equivalent to eliminating all CO₂ emissions from the heavy industry sector.
With methane solutions ready and within reach, the IEA is calling on governments and industry to act now—turning pledges into practice and emissions into opportunity.
