Efforts to reduce methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector have emerged as a critical priority for both climate change mitigation and global energy security, according to the latest report by the International Energy Agency.
The agency’s Global Methane Tracker 2026 highlights that despite clear solutions and growing awareness, progress in cutting emissions remains insufficient.
The urgency of the issue has intensified amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran crisis, which continues to disrupt global energy supplies and expose vulnerabilities in the energy system.
The IEA report reveals that oil, gas, and coal industries are responsible for approximately 35 percent of all methane emissions generated by human activity. Despite this significant share, there has been little improvement in reducing these emissions.
The agency noted:
“There is still no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations are falling, despite well-known and proven mitigation pathways,” the IEA said.
This highlights a persistent gap between policy commitments and on-ground implementation, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current climate strategies.
Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration, its impact is significantly more intense.
Over a 20-year period, methane’s warming effect is nearly 80 times more powerful than that of carbon dioxide. This makes it a critical target for short-term climate action, as reducing methane emissions can deliver faster results in slowing global warming.
According to the IEA’s estimates, methane emissions from fossil fuel operations total around 124 million tonnes annually. The breakdown is as follows:
In addition, the report states:
“A further 20 Mt comes from bioenergy production and consumption, largely from the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass used for cooking and heating in developing economies,” the report added.
This indicates that both industrial and household energy practices contribute to the global methane burden.
The global energy landscape has been significantly affected by recent geopolitical developments, including tensions involving Iran. Following conflict involving the United States and Israel, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran, oil prices have surged sharply.
Although an April ceasefire is currently holding, global energy supplies remain constrained. The crisis has disrupted nearly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade flows, creating additional pressure on energy markets.
The IEA emphasises that tackling methane emissions could also enhance energy availability. It estimates that:
Additionally, eliminating non-emergency flaring worldwide could unlock another 100 billion cubic metres of gas.
These figures demonstrate that reducing methane emissions is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic and energy opportunity.
In response to the growing urgency, France, as the rotating chair of the Group of Seven, convened a high-level meeting involving governments, industry leaders, and experts.
The initiative aims to accelerate action on methane reduction ahead of the upcoming COP31 scheduled for November.
French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut stated:
“I sincerely hope that the discussions we will have today will enable us to join our forces to accelerate the implementation of effective solutions to reduce methane emissions.”
She also acknowledged the scale of the challenge:
“Of course, action on methane is not a fight of any single actor and nobody can win it alone,” she added, noting that the world remains “very far” from meeting a pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared with 2020 levels.
Global leaders continue to stress the importance of coordinated efforts. Ed Miliband, British Secretary of State for Energy Security, highlighted the broader benefits of reducing methane emissions:
“Reducing methane emissions remains one of the best things we can do to slow global warming while cleaning up our air, improving public health, and increasing our energy security,” British Secretary of State for Energy Security Ed Miliband said in a video message.
This underscores the multi-dimensional advantages of methane mitigation, spanning environmental, economic, and public health domains.
The IEA’s findings make it clear that tackling methane emissions is one of the most effective and immediate actions available to address climate change while strengthening global energy security. Despite the availability of proven solutions, progress remains slow, highlighting the need for stronger policy enforcement and industry accountability.
As geopolitical tensions continue to strain energy supplies, reducing methane emissions offers a dual benefit—curbing global warming and unlocking valuable energy resources. With global initiatives gaining momentum ahead of COP31, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether the world can meet its methane reduction targets and move toward a more sustainable and secure energy future.