Methanleck's climb in the middle of the production of fossil fuels

Despite growing global efforts to contain emissions, the methane pollution of the fossil fuel industry remained alarming historical heights in 2024.

According to new knowledge, this increase occurred together with the record levels of oil, gas and coal production.

The analysis published by scientists from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows how methane – an invisible but very strong greenhouse gas – remains one of the simplest and fastest options for cooling the planet. However, progress is a standstill.

The report warns that methane leaks are subjected to many countries, in particular from energy infrastructure such as pipelines, drilling devices and abandoned locations.

Why methane deserves more attention

Methane is second in carbon dioxide in second place when it comes to his contribution to climate change. But in contrast to CO₂, methane does not refer to the atmosphere for centuries. It collapses in about a decade, which means that emissions could deliver faster in the climate.

However, the governments cannot keep up with their promises. The IEA estimates that the actual methane emissions from the energy sector are about 80% higher than the countries that state the United Nations. This is a massive gap.

The energy sector alone is responsible for about a third of all methane emissions powered by people. These leaks often remain unnoticed – or not reported. You can occur during maintenance or from the faulty infrastructure. In many cases it is surprisingly easy and affordable to stop.

“However, the latest data point out that the implementation on methane was still not ambitious,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director IEA.

Methan emissions by land

In 2024, the sector for fossil fuels published over 120 million tons of methane – almost as much as in the record year 2019.

China led the list, mainly because of its coal industry. The United States took second place, driven by their oil and gas operation, whereby Russia was not back far behind.

But methane is not only triggered by currently operating fields. The new analysis of the IEA shows that old, abandoned oil drilling and coal memines are also important culprits.

If these forgotten sources are considered the fourth largest emitter of Methane and are responsible for eight million tons in the past year alone.

Watch leaks from the orbit

One reason why the IEA can now paint a clearer picture of methane pollution is satellite technology. More than 25 satellites now scan the globe for methane flags. You can still see leaks in remote regions.

A satellite, Europe's Sentinel 5, only recognizes the greatest emissions. But what it sees is worrying.

“Super-emitting methane events” achieved a new record in 2024. These huge leaks were reported in several regions, especially in the USA, Turkmenistan and Russia.

Big promise, little progress

About 40% of the methane come from natural sources such as wetlands. But the rest – mainly from agriculture and energy – can be controlled. And scientists agree: Methane made of fossil fuels is easiest to fix.

More than 150 countries have undertaken to reduce their methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Many oil and gas companies have set 2050 destinations. But so far, real progress has been overwhelming.

The IEA says that cutting methane from fossil fuels could prevent about 0.1 ° C of global warming by 2050.

“This would have an enormous influence – comparable to the elimination of all CO₂ emissions of the global heavy industry in a stroke,” the report said.

In fact, existing technology could reduce 70% of the methane emissions of the energy sector. However, only 5% of current global oil and gas production meet methane standards near zero.

Methan leaks from coalemins

An important area that is still overlooked is methane made of coal. According to Energy Think Tank, Energy Think Tank Ember, that methane emissions from fossil fuels have to decrease by 75% by 2030 in order to stay on the right path for network zero goals.

The ember analyst Sabina Asan added that the contribution of the coal “is still ignored”.

“Today, cost -effective technologies are available, so this is a low -hanging fruit to tackle methane. We can no longer let coalemins out of the hook,” she said.

Time to tackle methane

The tools and the knowledge to combat methane pollution are already in our hands. What is missing is action.

Since countries and companies restrict the climate damage, cutting methane is child's play. But unless governments and industries take this seriously and soon the window to avoid the worst effects of warming.

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