Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing discussing how nations can collaborate to monitor and mitigate methane emissions to improve air quality and meet emission reduction targets. Methane accounts for 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution and has 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide, making it a key lever in addressing the climate crisis. 

Ahead of the United Nations annual conference on climate change (COP29), this briefing covered policies nations are implementing to effectively reduce their domestic methane emissions in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. Panelists discussed the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge, which 155 countries have signed, and highlighted the role of technology in improving methane monitoring, compliance, and reduction.

The three briefings in this series were:

What’s on the Table for the Negotiations

Methane Mitigation on the Global Stage

The U.S.-China Relationship and International Climate Diplomacy

Highlights

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A significant portion of global warming is due to methane emissions from human activities. Because methane has a short atmospheric lifetime, reducing these emissions can quickly lower their warming impact, making it one of the fastest ways to combat the climate crisis. Approximately 40% of methane emissions come from fossil fuel extraction, with food production and waste accounting for 60%. In the United States, studies show that 14% of methane emissions are linked to food waste due to production losses and decomposition in landfills. The launch of the Global Methane Pledge at the 2021 UN climate summit (COP26) marked a pivotal moment, placing methane at the forefront of political action. Since then, millions of dollars have been invested to support methane mitigation efforts. Now, there is a diverse ecosystem of technologies and tools, including dedicated satellites, that can detect, pinpoint, and quantify methane emissions.

 

Marcelo Mena, CEO, Global Methane Hub; Former Minister of Environment, Chile

• The Global Methane Hub is a philanthropic initiative supporting the Global Methane Pledge and collaborating with countries engaged in this effort. The goal is to cut methane emissions—the fastest and most effective way to reduce global warming—and contribute to limiting global average temperature increase to 1.5°C.
• Approximately 40% of methane emissions come from fossil fuel extraction, with food production and waste accounting for 60%. In the United States, studies show that 14% of methane emissions are linked to food waste due to production losses and decomposition in landfills.
• The Global Methane Pledge has garnered commitments from 158 countries, including China, the largest emitter, which has agreed to collaborate with the United States on methane mitigation. At the 2023 UN Climate Summit (COP28), there was a consensus that the pledged countries' new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) should include all greenhouse gases.
• MethaneSAT, set to launch in March 2025, will monitor aerial and basin-level emissions in the energy sector, with potential applications for agriculture. Additionally, the Global Methane Hub is using a point source monitor through Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite to identify facility-level leaks.
• Satellites have revealed that major landfills significantly contribute to methane pollution. A landfill in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which the Global Methane Hub monitors, emits 28.6 tons of methane per hour, primarily from organic waste. Implementing strategies to plug these leaks could substantially reduce emissions.
• Local leaders aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can make a significant difference by improving waste disposal methods. In the short term, a single landfill can emit methane equivalent to about 1.4 million car engines, which more than doubles in the long term.
• Following complaints about odors and emissions from the Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Los Angeles, California, basic operational interventions were implemented, resulting in significant methane emission reductions. These straightforward strategies, such as daily trash covering, can be easily replicated.
• Real-world methane emissions from the oil, gas, and coal sectors are often higher than self-reported figures due to invisible leaks, underscoring the need for rigorous monitoring. The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) enables entities like the United Nations’ International Methane Emissions Observatory to investigate emissions, identify leaks, and prompt corrective action from companies.
• To align with the 1.5°C target, a 75% mitigation of emissions from the oil and gas sector is necessary by 2030. This decade is critical for the sector to lead on methane mitigation efforts while solutions for other sectors are developed, with current pledges and policies already reaching 70% of the goal.
• The Global Methane Hub is conducting intensive research on reducing anthropogenic methane emissions from livestock, focusing on growing farmers' income while decreasing emissions. With $80-90 million already invested in research and development, including a feed additive that has reduced emissions by 30%, the potential for agricultural sector mitigation is both feasible and critical.

 

Jonathan Banks, Global Director, Methane Pollution Prevention, Clean Air Task Force

• The launch of the Global Methane Pledge at COP26 marked a pivotal moment, placing methane at the forefront of political action. Since then, millions of dollars have been invested to support methane mitigation efforts.
• The global methane pledge originated from discussions at the North American Leaders Summit, where the United States, Canada, and Mexico committed to a 45% reduction in oil and gas methane emissions. This marked a dramatic shift from formerly minimal action in the three countries.
• The United States has introduced new regulations for the oil and gas sector, including a groundbreaking methane fee. Canada has released federal regulations aiming for a 75% reduction in emissions from the oil and gas sector. Similar methane mitigation regulations have been enacted in Colombia, Nigeria, Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil. At COP29, key countries, particularly in Central Asia, are expected to announce new regulatory policies.
• The Climate and Clean Air Coalition has launched a fossil fuel regulatory program to assist countries in developing regulatory policies for the oil and gas sector.
• In the agricultural sector, there has been a notable shift from avoiding political controversy surrounding methane to actively seeking solutions for emissions reduction. At COP29, the COP presidency, Azerbaijan, has already announced an initiative for farmers.
• The Climate Finance Action Fund initiative is designed to provide more funding to countries to improve their methane mitigation efforts and reduce their emissions from agriculture. Another fund, the Reducing Agricultural Methane Programme, launched at COP28 and is starting to increase funding distribution. There will be more emphasis on agriculture in the NDCs as funding starts to flow in.
• This COP presidency has also announced a new initiative, the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration, focused on mitigating emissions from landfills..
• Launched at COP28, the Lowering Organic Waste Methane Initiative seeks to reduce methane emissions from organic waste, with new financial commitments and partner countries anticipated.

 

Tom Frankiewicz, Subject Matter Expert, Waste Sector Methane, RMI

• Awareness of methane emissions has rapidly improved, thanks to a diverse ecosystem of technologies and tools that can detect, pinpoint, and quantify these emissions. This progress has transformed previously hidden emissions into something that can now be monitored at various temporal and spatial scales.
• Policymakers are essential in converting methane emissions data into effective actions. A prime example is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) new Super Emitter Program for the oil and gas sector, which uses advanced monitoring to enable swift responses to significant leaks. This program also offers opportunities to refine greenhouse gas inventories, decrease methane emissions from landfills, and evaluate methane leakage related to fuel production.
• Over the past year, the EPA has collaborated with the Department of Energy to implement the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA's) (P.L. 117-169) Methane Emissions Reduction Program. This initiative includes enhancements to greenhouse gas reporting, financial and technical assistance for states and operators, and a charge on wasteful emissions.
• The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a national strategy to address food waste and promote organic recycling. In support of this strategy, the EPA has allocated funding to state, tribal, and local governments to reduce methane emissions from the waste sector through programs like the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants and Climate Pollution Reduction Grants.
• Municipal landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions in the United States, releasing an estimated 3.6 million tons in 2022, according to the EPA. While most modern sanitary landfills are equipped with gas-capture systems that use pipes, blowers, and covers, these systems do not capture all emissions. In fact, advancements in technology and remote sensing surveys indicate that actual methane emissions may be even higher than reported.
• The solutions for reducing methane emissions are clear: organic waste must be diverted from entering landfills and gas collection controls for waste that is already buried must be enhanced, as the waste can continue to emit methane for decades. Prevention strategies focus on keeping organic waste out of landfills through source reduction, edible food donation, and composting. These approaches prioritize feeding people and recovering nutrients while simultaneously reducing methane generation.
• Addressing methane from landfills also improves local air quality, protects public health, and invests in local food systems.
• RMI, in partnership with the Clean Air Task Force, developed a platform that consolidates emissions data at the site, city, and national levels. It includes a decision support tool to help prioritize investments in methane mitigation strategies. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a pathway for measurement, reporting, and verification that reconciles top-down and bottom-up data, facilitating increased investments in the waste sector.

 

Ilissa Ocko, Senior Advisor, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, U.S. Department of State

• A significant portion of global warming is due to methane emissions from human activities. Because methane has a short atmospheric lifetime, reducing these emissions can quickly lower their warming impact, making it one of the fastest ways to combat the climate crisis.
• By closely coordinating with other federal agencies focused on methane mitigation, the State Department can engage major emitters, such as China, across all sectors to implement projects, strengthen policies, and facilitate data tools. This collaborative effort aims to mobilize funding from various agencies and international partners to achieve shared climate goals.
• The United Nations Environment Programme's MARS is a tool that uses public satellite data to detect significant methane emissions globally, including natural gas leaks from pipelines. MARS notifies countries so they can take action to reduce these emissions. The State Department has helped MARS establish notification pathways for countries, representing more than two-thirds of detected events.
• In 2024, the United States and its partners delivered over $1 billion in grant funding to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s methane finance initiative. This includes 250 grants of $5 million each for the World Bank's Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector.
• At COP29, the State Department is participating in two key events: the second Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Summit, to be hosted by the United States, China, and Azerbaijan, and the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial, to be hosted by the United States, the European Union, and Climate and Clean Air Coalition. Both events will announce new global efforts to strengthen methane mitigation, focusing on policies, plans, and financing.
• The State Department is also preparing for the next round of NDCs, due in February 2025, to ensure that they include strong measures to reduce methane emissions.

 

Q&A

 

Q: Do all countries include commitments to reduce methane emissions in their NDCs? What discussions are taking place regarding methane as we approach the February 2025 deadline for the next round of NDCs?

Mena

• The Global Methane Hub is collaborating with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to assist countries in meeting their methane targets and developing methane action plans, having already supported 40 countries in this effort.
• Many commitments related to landfills are expected in the next round of NDCs, along with a push for sectoral targets to achieve these goals. Countries can be divided into two categories: those that produce significant amounts of oil and gas, which will need substantial reductions, and those with less oil and gas production, where challenges arise primarily from waste and agriculture.
• The integrity and momentum of the Paris Agreement are at stake, but advancing the methane mitigation agenda is achievable, as many countries have yet to fully explore its potential.

Banks

• Methane is increasingly becoming a key component of other countries' NDCs, and the more countries that incorporate it, the greater the potential for progress.
• While an NDC is an important first step toward action, it only matters if it is translated into actual policies within each country.

Frankiewicz

• Having inventories and sufficient data to accurately demonstrate the impact of methane mitigation is critical for the formation of impactful NDCs.

Ocko

• It is important to include methane and other non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases in top-line targets. Focusing solely on carbon dioxide misses a major opportunity to avoid additional warming. While most countries encompass all greenhouse gases, some major emitters do not, and it is critical for them to do so.
• The NDCs must establish ambitious methane actions aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. This alignment is vital because different levels of methane ambition can lead to vastly different climate outcomes, even with the same overall NDC target. The more ambitious the methane commitments, the greater the climate benefits that can be achieved, both during our lifetimes and for future generations.

 

Q: Is anyone aware of any regulations, proposals, or programs in development that aim to address aquatic methane?

Mena

• The Global Methane Hub is collaborating with a group called Bluemethane to research methane emissions from decomposition behind dams and in reservoirs, which has been shown to produce notable emissions.
• We are beginning to recognize that various sources contribute to methane emissions, such as wetlands and rice paddies. Distinguishing between these sources can be challenging, making it difficult to accurately assess their individual impacts.

Banks

• Limited research has been going into aquatic methane and this issue is often overlooked in the methane discourse. We need to deepen our understanding of the sources and magnitude of the problem.
• This topic may have a significant connection to another major pollutant, nitrogen. Nitrogen runoff could be contributing to increased methane emissions from freshwater lakes, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Ocko

• A growing number of researchers are developing methane removal strategies in response to human activities that are accelerating natural methane emission sources. For example, temperature increases are potentially speeding up biogeochemical cycles in wetlands, leading to higher methane emissions. This underscores the importance of keeping global temperatures as low as possible, as reducing methane is one of the most effective ways to slow down warming as soon as possible.

 

Q: How actively are different private industries in the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors engaged in establishing methane mitigation commitments? If they are, can you provide an example of a particularly impactful partnership between the public and private sectors?

Banks

• The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership brings together companies, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders to enhance understanding of emissions from the oil and gas sector and to provide guidance on mitigation and reduction strategies.
• Other noteworthy initiatives include the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, the Methane Guiding Principles, and the International Methane Emissions Observatory.

Frankiewicz

• Although methane commitments and emissions are aggregated at the national level, the responsibility for managing waste lies primarily at the state and local levels. Therefore, it is essential to mobilize and support subnational jurisdictions to help countries meet their global methane commitments.
• Many municipalities may lack the capital or technical resources to invest in effective methane reduction strategies. To address these challenges, it is crucial to provide emissions transparency, offer technical support, and to catalyze finance while bringing in the private sector where it can provide services.

Mena

• The Enteric Fermentation Accelerator is an excellent example of collaboration between the private and philanthropic sectors, along with direct or aligned funding from various governments.
• The Dairy Methane Action Alliance, launched by the Environmental Defense Fund and supported by companies like Nestlé, Mars, and Starbucks, is working to reduce methane emissions. This initiative is significant, as these companies account for 30-40% of dairy consumption and production.

Ocko

• Together, stakeholders have made tremendous progress over the past several years, both domestically and globally, in scaling up existing strategies to reduce emissions. However, much work remains, and engaging more actors is crucial for successful methane mitigation.

 

Compiled by Jamiya Barnett and edited for clarity and length. This is not a transcript.