Climate: an international meeting in Paris to accelerate global action on methane reduction

The French Ministry of Ecological Transition has called for a collective mobilization around three priorities: accelerating emissions reduction, strengthening measures through new technologies to better identify sources, and implementing “concrete solutions and ambitious regulatory frameworks,” the ministry said in a statement Monday night.

Among the key announcements of the day, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicated an expansion of its global methane detection system via satellite to include emissions from coal mines and waste treatment facilities, in addition to oil or gas installations.

Furthermore, national oil companies from Libya, Pakistan, and Angola declared joining UNEP’s methane measurement, reporting, and reduction program, covering 50% of global production.

The day also emphasized that methane, as the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2, has a warming potential about 80 times higher over twenty years. Despite being shorter-lived, reducing methane can lead to significant short-term climate benefits, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) in their Global Methane Tracker report.

Odorless and invisible, methane is a natural gas molecule that escapes mainly from oil and gas infrastructure, agriculture, and landfills.

Nearly 160 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, but the world is still “far behind” this goal, said Ms. Barbut during the opening speech, calling for collective efforts to accelerate effective solutions.

Around 60% of global methane emissions stem from human activities, primarily agriculture followed by energy.

Despite known and proven mitigation solutions, emissions from the fossil fuel sector—such as leaks or intentional venting—have remained at “very high levels,” accounting for 35% of anthropogenic methane.

Detecting and fixing leaks, or limiting routine flaring, could avoid 30% of fossil fuel-related emissions at zero cost, as captured gas could be resold, the IEA noted.

Addressing methane during the energy crisis could also help enhance gas market security, said the IEA.

In light of the energy crisis linked to the Iran war, tackling methane waste could provide an additional reason for prompt action, added the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, emphasized the need to combat this waste.

The IEA suggests that reducing emissions from oil and gas operations and eliminating non-emergency flaring could recover 200 billion m3 of gas annually, nearly double the volume passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz in 2025.

Achieving such reduction levels would take time, yet 15 billion m3 could be freed up quickly, the agency estimated.

“Reducing methane emissions remains one of the best actions we can take to slow down climate change while cleaning our air, improving public health, and strengthening energy security,” said British Energy Minister Ed Miliband in a video message.

Agriculture also plays a significant role in methane emissions, from livestock to rice farming and landfills.

“We must be clear: the energy sector currently offers the fastest and often most cost-effective reductions,” noted Ms. Barbut.

The mobilization will continue for COP31 with “new means of action” and “slightly new strategies,” the ministry announced Monday night, without providing further details.