IEA: Cutting Methane Emissions Key to Climate and Energy Security
Theo Al Jazeera
The International Energy Agency has released a report stressing that cutting methane emissions from fossil fuels can combat climate change and strengthen energy security, especially amid the Iran crisis. Methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal total 124 million tonnes per year, with oil being the largest source.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released its Global Methane Tracker 2026 report, stressing that addressing methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector would support efforts to curb climate change and enhance energy security, particularly as the Iran crisis threatens global supply.
The report notes that the oil, gas, and coal sectors account for roughly 35% of total human-caused methane emissions. However, progress in reducing them remains limited. The IEA stated: “There are still no signs that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations are declining, despite widely recognized and proven reduction pathways.”
Methane is the second-largest contributor to climate change, remaining in the atmosphere for a shorter period than carbon dioxide but having a warming effect about 80 times stronger over 20 years. The IEA estimates methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal total 124 million tonnes per year. Oil is the largest source at 45 million tonnes, followed by coal at 43 million tonnes, and natural gas at 36 million tonnes. The report added: “A further 20 million tonnes comes from bioenergy production and consumption, mainly from incomplete combustion of traditional biomass used for cooking and heating in developing economies.”
Oil prices have surged since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February and Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. An April ceasefire remains in place, but global energy supplies are still constrained. The crisis is reshaping the global energy system and disrupting about 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade flows.
The IEA said nearly 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas could be supplied annually through global efforts to cut methane from oil and gas operations. Of that, about 15 billion cubic meters could be released within a short enough time to offer some relief to gas markets. Another 100 billion cubic meters would be captured by eliminating non-emergency flaring worldwide.
Also on Monday, France, as rotating president of the Group of Seven (G7), convened government officials, industry leaders, and experts to build momentum for cutting methane emissions. The conference focused on reducing methane emissions ahead of the UN COP31 summit in November.
French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut said: “I really hope today’s discussions will help us unite forces to accelerate the deployment of effective solutions to reduce methane emissions.” She stressed: “Action on methane is not a single-actor battle; no one can win alone,” noting the world remains “far” from its commitment to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.
In a video message, UK Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Reducing methane emissions remains one of the best things we can do to slow global warming, while cleaning the air, improving public health, and enhancing energy security.”
