Methane is a super-pollutant, responsible for around one-third of today’s global warming. Methane from human activities – like fossil fuel production, agriculture, and waste – accounts for roughly a quarter of today’s warming.
Over a 20-year period, methane is more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂) at trapping heat, making it one of the biggest drivers of near-term climate change.
Methane levels in the atmosphere have more than doubled over the past century. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), current concentrations are higher than at any point in the last 800,000 years and are rising more than three times faster than CO₂. If left unchecked, methane from human activity will likely contribute more to global warming than the direct burning of fossil fuels over the next decade. Urgent action is essential.
Methane doesn’t just warm the planet – it also worsens air pollution. When released, it contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to human health.
Exposure to air pollution linked to methane increases the risk of asthma, heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. The Global Methane Assessment estimates that cutting methane emissions – especially from fossil fuels – could prevent:
Methane breaks down in the atmosphere after roughly 9 to 12 years, unlike CO₂ which can persist for centuries. That means cutting methane delivers near-immediate climate benefits. Reducing methane emissions could avoid significant warming of our planet and buy time for deeper carbon reductions.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 170 billion cubic metres of methane were lost from fossil fuel operations in 2023 alone. That figure is likely an underestimate – actual emissions from oil and gas may be around 70% higher than reported.
The oil and gas sector is expected to account for 26% of global methane emissions by 2030. Nearly half of these emissions could be reduced at no net cost using existing technologies.
Solutions like frequent leak detection and repair (LDAR), better equipment maintenance, and stronger monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) can slash emissions, improve transparency, and capture wasted energy – all while boosting energy efficiency.
Many of the solutions to cut methane in the fossil gas sector are simple, proven, and low-cost. As the world’s largest importer of fossil gas, Europe has both a responsibility and a unique opportunity to lead the global effort to reduce methane emissions.
A growing ecosystem of satellites, sensors, and open-access platforms is transforming how the world sees methane. This data revolution is making invisible emissions visible, and driving unprecedented accountability across the fossil fuel sector. Launched by Environmental Defense Fund in 2024, MethaneSAT played a key role in accelerating this shift. By delivering transparent, high-quality emissions data to the public, it set a powerful new standard for climate action. Though MethaneSAT is no longer active, it helped catalyse a movement – one where data is collected transparently, used to shape policy, mobilise civil society, and push polluters to act.
Methane leaks from fossil fuel infrastructure are one of the most preventable – and affordable – sources of emissions. Outdated equipment, poor maintenance, and lax oversight result in millions of tonnes of wasted gas each year.
Leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes are among the fastest, most cost-effective solutions we have. When done well, they work. But they must be:
Mandatory, high-frequency LDAR ensures that companies stop pollution before it spreads – protecting the climate and recovering valuable resources.
Venting (releasing methane directly into the air) and flaring (burning it off) are wasteful, polluting practices that should only be used in emergencies. Yet they remain common across fossil fuel operations.
The fix is clear: invest in gas capture technology to convert wasted methane into usable energy. This reduces emissions, cuts air pollution, and boosts energy efficiency – all at once.
Ending routine venting and flaring is one of the simplest ways to make a big climate impact, fast.
In 2024, the EU adopted its first-ever Methane Regulation, setting strict standards for the energy sector – including imported fossil fuels. It’s a historic step forward.
But passing a regulation is only the beginning.
Now comes the hard part: implementation and enforcement. The regulation targets methane in three key ways:
As the world’s largest fossil fuel importer, the EU can set a global standard – but only if Member States:
With strong enforcement, the EU Methane Regulation can be a global model – delivering real climate wins and reshaping how the energy industry operates.
