According to the International Energy Agency’s newly published Global Methane Tracker 2025, 70% of energy sector methane emissions could be prevented using existing technologies. Many available solutions are cost-effective, with captured gas often able to be resold.
The Tracker reports that if these abatement measures had been fully implemented, an additional 100 billion m³ of natural gas could have been brought to market in 2024 – equivalent to Norway’s total gas exports.
Abandoned oil and gas wells and coal mines contributed about 8 million tonnes of methane emissions in 2024
Despite progress in monitoring and data collection, efforts to reduce emissions have yet to make a major impact, with methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector remaining stubbornly high.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to climate change, especially in the short term. While carbon dioxide has a longer-lasting effect, methane’s rapid warming potential makes it a key focus for climate action.
The 2025 Tracker presents updated estimates based on satellite data and measurement campaigns and it evaluates abatement options and their costs.
The report introduces several new features, including historical country-level emissions data, a tool to explore international methane initiatives, and emissions estimates from abandoned fossil fuel sites. Abandoned oil and gas wells and coal mines contributed about 8 million tonnes of methane emissions in 2024 – enough to make them the world’s fourth-largest source of fossil methane.
The fossil fuel sector currently accounts for about one-third of methane emissions from human activity, largely driven by record oil, gas and coal production and weak mitigation efforts. The IEA’s estimate of over 120 million tonnes of annual emissions is significantly higher than official figures, though data transparency is improving. Over 25 satellites are now monitoring emissions, with large leaks hitting record highs in 2024.
If fully implemented, methane reduction measures could avoid a 0.1 °C rise in global temperatures by 2050 – comparable to cutting all CO₂ emissions from heavy industry.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said: ‘Tackling methane leaks and flaring offers a double dividend: it alleviates pressure on tight gas markets in many parts of the world, enhancing energy security – and lowers emissions at the same time. However, the latest data indicates that implementation on methane has continued to fall short of ambitions. The IEA is working to ensure that governments and industry have the tools and knowledge they need to deliver on pledges and achieve the goals they have set.’
Responding to the new data, Jonathan Banks, Global Director, Methane Pollution Prevention at Clean Air Task Force said: ‘The IEA’s latest data underscores how far we still have to go to rein in methane pollution from the energy sector. The good news is that we know how to solve this problem. The challenge isn’t a lack of solutions, or even public will, it’s the pace of implementation. Now is the time to move from commitment to action.
The new IEA report comes shortly after a new public opinion survey from the Global Methane Hub showing that public support for methane action is both strong and widespread, with 82% of people across 17 countries backing efforts to cut methane pollution.
Banks added: ‘This growing support reflects a broader global shift: methane is now firmly on the international climate agenda. From the Global Methane Pledge and binding EU regulations to increasing ambition in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, governments are beginning to respond. But the IEA’s findings make clear that progress remains too slow.’
The Global Methane Tracker 2025 can be downloaded here.
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