Governments worldwide are significantly underestimating the extent of methane emissions from energy production, reveals a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the agency’s annual Global Methane Tracker, emissions from the energy sector are approximately 70 percent higher than what national governments have officially reported. This glaring disparity underscores the urgent need for improved monitoring and stronger measures to combat emissions.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol emphasized the importance of transparency in addressing methane emissions, stating, “A vital part of those efforts is transparency on the size and location of the emissions, which is why the massive underreporting revealed by our Global Methane Tracker is so alarming.”
Despite global efforts to mitigate emissions, the report found that methane emissions from the energy sector rose by nearly 5 percent last year as the world began its slow recovery from pandemic-related restrictions. However, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, emissions from oil and natural gas decreased by a little over 2 percent, suggesting some success in emission reduction initiatives.
The United States, ranking as the third-largest emitter of methane, released 17 million tons last year, comprising nearly 13 percent of the global total. China claimed the top spot for emissions, followed by Russia, with IEA factoring in coal emissions for the first time this year.
One notable revelation from the report is the significant volume of gas leaked in 2021, which, if captured and sold, could have supplied Europe’s power sector with enough gas to alleviate current price pressures. The report underscores the economic and environmental importance of addressing methane leaks, especially as the cost of gas rises amid supply shortages.
Satellite data played a crucial role in identifying large methane leaks, with emissions events detected in regions such as Texas’ Permian Basin and Turkmenistan. However, the report also highlighted significant blind spots in satellite surveillance, including equatorial regions, offshore areas, and key Russian oil and gas-producing regions.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is responsible for approximately 30 percent of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. With the oil and gas sector contributing 40 percent of methane emissions worldwide, urgent action is needed to mitigate these emissions and combat climate change effectively.