Energy Sector Methane Emissions Trending Towards Record Highs by 2024
Energy Sector Methane Emissions Reach Nearly Record Highs in 2024, According to Energy Agency Report - Energy Sector Methane Emissions Approach Record Highs in 2024 According to Energy Agency Report
The energy sector is a significant culprit behind 35% of global methane emissions, mainly due to gas leaks from pipelines and other infrastructure, as well as intentional releases during facility maintenance. In 2019, the record for methane emissions was set, and data suggests that levels are on track to reach similar heights by 2024.
IEA head, Fatih Birol, mentioned that efforts to reduce methane emissions are lagging behind targets, with the energy agency's data relying heavily on measurements rather than the often-estimated data provided by governments. The IEA estimates that actual methane emissions are about 80% higher than those reported by nations to the United Nations.
The IEA's analysis reveals that super-emitters - large methane leaks at oil and gas facilities - reached a record high in 2024. These leaks occurred predominantly in the USA, Turkmenistan, and Russia. Idled oil, gas, and coal mining facilities also contribute significantly to methane emissions.
Methane emissions offer one of the fastest and most effective ways to combat climate change. The IEA estimates that reducing methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector could significantly slow global warming, preventing a temperature increase of around 0.1 degrees Celsius by 2050 – the equivalent of eliminating all CO2 emissions from the global heavy industry at once.
The remaining 60% of methane emissions come from natural sources, primarily wetlands, and human activities such as livestock farming and energy consumption.
Enrichment Data:
- Methane emissions from the energy sector reached close to 120 million tonnes in 2024, only slightly lower than the record set in 2019.
- China is the world's largest emitter, primarily due to its coal sector.
- Europe has seen a decrease in coal mine methane emissions thanks to the EU Methane Regulation.
- Super-emitters contribute disproportionately to methane pollution.
- Common methane emission reduction methods, such as Leak Detection and Repair programs, upgrading equipment, and banning routine flaring and venting, can reduce emissions by 75%.
- The EU Methane Regulation, enacted last year, mandates measurement, reporting, and repair protocols, helping to reduce emissions in the EU.
- Global methane mitigation efforts are still underdeveloped, and many nations underreport their methane emissions compared to IEA estimates.
- The energy sector, a significant contributor to global methane emissions, has seen its methane emissions approaching the record high of 120 million tonnes in 2024, as suggested by the IEA.
- Fatih Birol, head of the IEA, has expressed concerns about the slow pace at which efforts to reduce methane emissions are progressing, as industry data indicates a higher actual level of methane emissions compared to those reported by nations.
- The IEA's analysis reveals that super-emitters, large methane leaks at oil and gas facilities, reached a record high in 2024, particularly in the USA, Turkmenistan, and Russia.
- Reducing methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector could significantly slow global warming, potentially preventing a temperature increase of around 0.1 degrees Celsius by 2050, according to the IEA estimates.
- The remaining 60% of methane emissions come from natural sources and human activities like wetlands, livestock farming, and energy consumption, as mentioned in environmental science.
- Methane emissions reduce can by 75% through common methods such as Leak Detection and Repair programs, upgrading equipment, and banning routine flaring and venting, however, global methane mitigation efforts are still underdeveloped, and many nations underreport their methane emissions compared to IEA estimates.
