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Tackling methane emissions key for climate change and energy security: IEA
TL;DR
The IEA reports that reducing methane emissions in the fossil fuel sector is crucial for combating climate change and enhancing energy security amid the Iran crisis. Methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal contribute significantly to global warming but have seen little reduction progress.
Key points
- IEA emphasizes the need to tackle methane emissions
- Fossil fuel sector contributes 35% of global methane emissions
- Methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years
- Methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal total 124 million tonnes annually
- Little progress has been made in reducing methane emissions
Mentioned in this story
International Energy Agency
Tackling methane emissions in the fossil fuel sector would help efforts to hold back climate change and increase energy security, especially as the Iran crisis threatens global supplies, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The oil, gas and coal industries account for about 35 percent of all methane emissions from human activity, notes the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2026, released on Monday. However, there is little progress in reducing them, the report points out.
“There is still no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations are falling, despite well-known and proven mitigation pathways,” the IEA said.
Methane, the second-biggest contributor to climate change, stays in the atmosphere for far less time than carbon dioxide, but its warming effect is roughly 80 times more potent over a 20-year period.
The IEA estimates that methane emissions from oil, gas and coal total 124 million tonnes a year. Oil is the largest source at 45 million tonnes (Mt), followed by coal at 43 Mt, and natural gas at 36 Mt.
“A further 20 Mt comes from bioenergy production and consumption, largely from the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass used for cooking and heating in developing economies,” the report added.
Oil prices have soared since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February and Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response. An April ceasefire between the sides is currently holding, but global energy supplies remain limited.
The ongoing crisis is reshaping the global energy system and disrupting about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade flows.
Nearly 100 billion cubic metres of natural gas could be made available annually through a global effort to cut methane from oil and gas operations, the IEA said, estimating that nearly 15 billion cubic metres could be made available in a sufficiently short period of time to provide some relief to gas markets.
A further 100 billion cubic metres would be unlocked through the elimination of non-emergency flaring worldwide, it added.
Paris initiative
France, using its role as rotating chair of the Group of Seven (G7) bloc of industrialised powers, convened government officials, industry leaders and experts on Monday to build momentum on cutting methane emissions.
The conference aimed at reducing methane emissions ahead of the United Nations’ November COP31 summit.
“I sincerely hope that the discussions we will have today will enable us to join our forces to accelerate the implementation of effective solutions to reduce methane emissions,” French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut said in a speech.
Q&A
What percentage of methane emissions come from fossil fuel industries?
Fossil fuel industries account for about 35 percent of all methane emissions from human activity.
How much methane do oil, gas, and coal industries emit annually?
The IEA estimates that methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal total 124 million tonnes a year.
Why is tackling methane emissions important for energy security?
Reducing methane emissions is vital for improving energy security, especially as geopolitical tensions, like the Iran crisis, threaten global supplies.
