Methane emissions from the global fossil fuel sector remain alarmingly high despite improved monitoring and transparency, the International Energy Agency said on Wednesday, warning that current efforts fall short of climate targets and energy security opportunities.

In its Global Methane Tracker 2025 report released on May 7, the IEA estimates that methane emissions from oil, gas and coal operations exceeded 120 million tonnes in 2024.

The figure underscores a persistent gap between emissions reduction pledges and on-the-ground implementation, even as methane abatement is widely seen as one of the most cost-effective strategies for curbing near-term climate change.

“Tackling methane leaks and flaring offers a double dividend: it alleviates pressure on tight gas markets in many parts of the world, enhancing energy security, and lowers emissions at the same time,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “However, the latest data indicates that implementation on methane has continued to fall short of ambitions.”

Potent Climate Threat with Rapid Payback Solutions

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is responsible for about one-third of the rise in global temperatures.

The fossil fuel industry accounts for nearly one-third of methane emissions stemming from human activity.

The IEA’s latest data show that despite an increase in global fossil fuel production, mitigation measures have been insufficient.

According to the report, roughly 70 percent of annual methane emissions from the energy sector could be avoided using existing technologies. Many solutions offer payback periods of less than a year, as captured gas can be sold into markets.

Energy Security Gains from Abatement Potential

In 2024 alone, methane abatement could have delivered an additional 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas to global markets, equivalent to Norway’s annual exports, easing supply constraints in a tight energy landscape.

The report found that an additional 150 billion cubic meters of gas is flared each year, much of which is avoidable.

The 2025 update introduces new features, including historical country-level emissions data, estimates from abandoned oil and gas sites, and an open-access model to explore reduction pathways. It also includes a tool to track international methane reduction initiatives.

Notably, methane emissions from abandoned fossil fuel facilities contributed about 8 million tonnes last year, making them the world’s fourth-largest source of fossil fuel methane emissions if considered a single entity.

Satellites Reveal Surge in Large Methane Leaks

While data quality continues to improve — aided by more than 25 satellites now monitoring methane leaks — the report found that significant, high-emitting events from oil and gas infrastructure reached a record high in 2024.

The IEA said current pledges to cut methane emissions cover 80 percent of global oil and gas production. However, only about 5 percent of this output meets near-zero emissions standards.

The agency stressed that performance varies widely across countries and operators, with the best performers emitting up to 100 times less methane than the worst.

“Raising awareness and spreading readily available best practices are essential,” the report stated.

If targeted methane mitigation solutions were fully deployed under today’s policies, the IEA estimates the world could avoid a 0.1-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures by midcentury, a climate impact comparable to eliminating all current CO₂ emissions from the heavy industry sector.

The IEA urged policymakers and companies to act swiftly to close the implementation gap and seize what it calls a “low-hanging fruit” in the fight against climate change.

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