• Methane emissions from the energy sector are nearing record highs, driven by fossil fuel production.
• Countries underestimate their methane pollution, with emissions reported to be 80% higher than governments claim.
• Technologies exist to significantly reduce these emissions, yet implementation remains insufficient.
• China, the U.S., and Russia are the top emitters of energy methane.
• The International Energy Agency emphasizes the urgent need for improved monitoring and action to curb leaks.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that methane emissions from the energy sector are on track to reach record levels, primarily due to increased fossil fuel production. In 2024, over 120 million tonnes of methane are expected to be released, closely approaching the peaks seen in 2019. The IEA highlights that slashing these emissions is critical for meeting international climate targets, as methane is the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Yet, the agency states that current efforts to reduce these emissions are falling short, as countries are underreporting pollution levels by around 80%, according to Indiatimes and The Jakarta Post.

The IEA's Global Methane Tracker identifies that the energy sector is responsible for roughly one-third of human-caused methane emissions, which escape during activities such as oil extraction and gas transmission. Despite the existence of cost-effective technologies that could help reduce emissions significantly, implementation rates remain low. “The latest data indicates that implementation on methane has continued to fall short of ambitions,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, as cited by Indiatimes and Newsweek.

China leads in energy methane emissions, primarily due to its coal sector, with the United States and Russia following closely. Additionally, abandoned oil and gas wells, along with coal mining, have been identified as significant contributors, collectively representing what could be considered the world's fourth-largest source of methane emissions. The IEA emphasizes that targeting these sources through existing technology is essential, particularly as global monitoring capabilities improve. Satellite data is becoming increasingly available, with more than 25 satellites tracking methane emissions — a shift that reveals the magnitude of the issue more clearly than previous reports, as detailed by The Jakarta Post and Newsweek.

The need for action is underscored by the IEA, which estimates that roughly 70% of annual methane emissions from the energy sector could be curtailed using available technologies. However, only a meager 5% of global oil and gas operations meet near-zero emissions standards. Methane's potency as a greenhouse gas and its comparatively short atmospheric lifespan make it a prime target for immediate climate action; the IEA forecasts that reducing energy sector methane could limit global temperature increases by 0.1 degrees Celsius by 2050. This highlights the urgent need for rigorous monitoring and rapid implementation of leak-reduction technologies, according to Indiatimes, The Jakarta Post, and Newsweek.