The UN Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition have released a pivotal assessment highlighting the urgent need for amplified efforts in methane reduction. Launched at COP30, the Global Methane Status Report 2025 reveals that although progress has been made, current commitments fall short of achieving global climate objectives.
Methane emissions reached approximately 352 million tonnes in 2020 and are anticipated to rise to 369 million tonnes by 2030 if existing policies remain unaltered. This increase is largely driven by the agriculture and waste sectors. The goal of reducing methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 is at risk, necessitating enhanced action across all major emitting sectors.
Since 2021, an increasing number of countries have adopted methane-specific measures within their national climate strategies. Should current pledges be fully realized, emissions could decrease by 8% below 2020 levels within this decade. The UNEP stresses that fully implementing feasible measures could cut emissions by 32%, sufficient to achieve the Global Methane Pledge.
Methane is responsible for approximately one-third of present-day global warming. In 2020, global methane emissions were around 352 Mt, with agriculture contributing 42% of these emissions. Energy-sector mitigation could account for over 72% of the potential reductions by 2030.
The energy sector presents the most significant and cost-effective reduction opportunities, employing strategies such as leak detection, flaring controls, improved distribution networks, and methane capture from fossil fuel operations. Waste management strategies, including landfill gas capture and organic waste diversion, promise steady, long-term benefits. The agricultural sector poses the greatest challenge, where interventions such as feed additives, enhanced breeding, and improved rice-field water management offer substantial but gradually adopted improvements.
The report emphasizes the necessity for precise methane measurement, especially within the fossil fuel sector. Improved monitoring systems and transparent data are crucial for guiding targeted interventions. Currently, the financial resources allocated to methane reduction fall short of the required levels, highlighting a significant gap between available funds and the needs for large-scale mitigation implementation.
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