The climate crisis is an urgent global challenge, and one of the key players in this battle is methane. While the world has been focusing on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the impact of methane has been somewhat overlooked. However, as the International Energy Agency's report highlights, methane emissions are not declining, and this is a critical issue that needs immediate attention. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with 1 tonne causing 80 times more warming than 1 tonne of carbon dioxide over 20 years. This makes reducing methane emissions an emergency brake for addressing climate change.
One of the main concerns is the implementation gap in current policies. The Climate Policy Monitor's analysis, which spans 37 jurisdictions, reveals that fewer than one-third of methane policies are mandatory. This is particularly worrying given that India and Indonesia, two countries with significant methane emissions, have no identifiable methane policies. The lack of mandatory policies in these countries is a major setback for global efforts to reduce methane emissions.
However, there are some signs of progress. Japan, for instance, has been a leader in robust policymaking on fossil methane. The country's Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures (1998) mandates public disclosure of facility-level emissions and third-party verification of emission inventories. This has helped Japan reduce methane emissions by roughly 40% between 1990 and 2022. In the current context of high energy prices, cutting methane emissions can also help improve energy security and reduce wastage of natural resources.
One area that remains a global policy gap is coal methane. Coal methane is the methane that either escapes during coal mining or builds up in disused mines. Less than half of the jurisdictions analyzed had policies covering coal methane, and this is a problem in countries like Poland that are phasing out coal. The lack of action in this area is a major concern, as methane venting can continue long after mines are closed.
Agriculture is another area that has been overlooked. It is the largest human source of methane emissions, accounting for around 40% of methane emissions, mainly from cow burps. Yet, fewer than half of the 100 methane policies identified targeted agriculture specifically. This imbalance suggests that governments continue to prioritize tackling energy-sector methane while overlooking agricultural emissions. The lack of ambition in methane regulation extends to the agri-food sector, with only three of the largest dairy and coffee companies having a target to reduce methane emissions by 2030.
One country that has been backsliding is the US. The US Environmental Protection Agency delayed methane regulations for oil and gas facilities in 2025, and the EU has been lobbied by the US to delay penalties for oil and gas importers on methane. However, there are signs of hope at the global level, with more than half of recent methane policies emerging in African and Latin American jurisdictions. This highlights how developing and emerging economies are prioritizing climate action through rule-making based on their distinct contexts.
In conclusion, while the climate crisis is an urgent global challenge, there is still a chance for the world to get to grips with methane emissions. With strong policy and enforcement, we can make significant progress in reducing methane emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. However, we must act quickly and decisively to ensure that the world does not continue to overlook the critical role of methane in the fight against climate change.
