Introducing the global challenge of methane emissions, it’s clear that while some nations are taking steps toward mitigation, others lag behind significantly. This disparity highlights the urgency of addressing these emissions effectively. Recent developments indicate that even nations with fewer resources are achieving notable progress in sealing methane leaks, demonstrating that change is possible, regardless of a country’s wealth.
Yves here. I was taken aback to discover straightforward methods to drastically curtail methane emissions, such as properly sealing abandoned wells and controlling emissions at active sites. These major culprits can even be detected via satellite. It’s notable that Turkmenistan, despite being a poorer nation, has made significant strides in addressing leaks, in stark contrast to wealthier countries like the US, China, and Russia. This inaction by richer nations speaks volumes about their apparent resignation to the status quo in greenhouse gas reduction.
By Felicity Bradstock, a writer and journalist contributing to energy websites and covering various industries, as well as writing for a daily Mexican news outlet. Originally published at OilPrice
- Satellite monitoring is making it increasingly difficult to hide major methane leaks, highlighting super-emitters globally.
- Progress in addressing methane emissions is inconsistent; countries like Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and several Latin American states are responding to UN alerts, while major emitters see little action.
- Reducing methane presents one of the quickest ways to mitigate near-term warming, yet emissions from fossil fuel operations remain frustratingly high.
Many nations are engaged in efforts to curb methane leaks, but progress varies significantly. The establishment of the Global Methane Pledge at the COP26 climate summit in 2021 has energized cleanup initiatives. However, numerous countries are still falling short of their commitments to reduce methane emissions. Notably, Turkmenistan, one of the largest methane polluters globally, is working to address its significant leaks, a move that could inspire other nations to follow suit.
The United States and the European Union spearheaded the Global Methane Pledge, which has garnered over 159 signatories representing around 45 percent of global human-caused methane emissions. The goal of this pledge is to reduce methane emissions by at least 30 percent below 2020 levels by the year 2030.
Many governments had previously focused on ambitious carbon reduction pledges, but some had overlooked the need to tackle methane emissions, which can warm the planet up to 80 times more than carbon dioxide over a two-decade span. Since the Industrial Revolution, methane has been responsible for about 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures, with fossil fuels accounting for roughly one-third of methane emissions due to human activities. Records indicate that oil, gas, and coal production, coupled with inadequate mitigation efforts, have kept emissions above 120 million tonnes (Mt) per year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The IEA’s annual Global Methane Tracker measures the yearly methane emissions and tracks progress and shortcomings. In 2024, abandoned wells and mines alone contributed about 8 Mt of methane emissions, showcasing the severe consequences of failing to properly seal these sources. Accurately tracking methane emissions is challenging due to widespread underreporting. Some regions lack adequate measurement-based data on emissions.
To estimate emissions each year, the IEA relies on data from scientific studies, measurement campaigns, and significant emissions events identified by satellites. Regions like Europe report their methane emissions with much greater accuracy compared to others. The IEA has estimated that global energy-related methane emissions are approximately 80 percent higher than those reported by countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Certain countries, particularly those rich in oil, contribute heavily to global methane emissions, having failed to effectively decommission fossil fuel operations for decades. These include Turkmenistan, the United States, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. A 2023 assessment by The Guardian identified Turkmenistan as the largest source of methane mega-leaks. Some of Turkmenistan’s “super-emitters” leaked tons of methane every hour from a single valve or pipeline, surpassing the emissions of an entire coal-fired power station. Data indicated that the methane emissions from Turkmenistan’s two main fossil fuel fields contributed more to global warming in 2022 than the total carbon emissions of the United Kingdom. These revelations have sparked significant public outcry and increased pressure on the government to take action.
This year, Turkmenistan initiated an expansive cleanup project to address its methane leaks. Reports indicate that the country has successfully halted eight leaks by repairing corroded pipes, fixing faulty wells, and addressing failing flares, based on UN data. However, substantial efforts are still needed to further reduce methane emissions. The UN Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) has issued 192 alerts regarding methane plumes to Turkmenistan over the past year. According to this system, the country had nine of the world’s 50 worst methane leaks in the past six months.
In recent years, Turkmenistan has enhanced its reporting systems, responding to about 20 percent of the MARS alerts with on-the-ground information regarding leaks and potential fixes. In contrast, the United States received 138 alerts but did not respond to any. The most significant methane leak detected emerged from offshore oil and gas operations in Mexico, measuring a staggering 37 tons per hour, equivalent to the emissions produced by over 7 million SUVs. While Mexico responded to all 23 MARS alerts, the leak remains unrepaired.
Meghan Demeter, the program manager of MARS, stated, “These mitigation cases illustrate the potential of satellite data, especially in situations like Turkmenistan, where many detections occur… This represents a breakthrough in having documented mitigation efforts. However, further progress is needed; eight cases are a commendable initial step, yet many more sources in Turkmenistan still require attention. Our communication is ongoing, and we see a growing response rate month by month.”
Moreover, UN tracking has prompted other nations in the vicinity to address leaks. For instance, Kazakhstan, another former Soviet republic with outdated oil and gas infrastructure, successfully stopped eight leaks following alerts. To date, countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina have achieved 100 percent response rates to MARS alerts, while Libya and Azerbaijan also exhibit high response rates. In stark contrast, the United States, Iran, Russia, and China have failed to respond to any alerts.
