Global Methane Tracker 2024

Methane Emissions Overview

• In 2023, methane emissions from fossil fuels reached approximately 120 million tonnes (Mt).
• Additionally, bioenergy, primarily from biomass use, contributed around 10 Mt of methane emissions, a level that has remained steady since 2019.

Rise of Major Methane Emissions Events

• Major methane emissions events surged by over 50% in 2023 compared to 2022.
• These events included more than 5 million metric tons of methane emissions from significant fossil fuel leaks globally.
• Notably, a significant incident was a major well blowout in Kazakhstan, lasting over 200 days.

Top Emitting Countries

• Nearly 70% of methane emissions from fossil fuels originate from the top 10 emitting countries.
• The United States leads in methane emissions from oil and gas operations, closely trailed by Russia.
• China stands out as the highest emitter of methane in the coal sector.

Importance of Cutting Methane Emissions

• It's crucial to reduce methane emissions from fossil fuels by 75% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.
• The IEA estimates that achieving this goal would necessitate around USD 170 billion in spending, which is less than 5% of the income generated by the fossil fuel industry in 2023.
• Remarkably, approximately 40% of emissions from fossil fuels in 2023 could have been prevented at no net cost.
• These highlights underscore the urgency and feasibility of addressing methane emissions as part of global efforts to combat climate change and limit temperature rise.