Overview
- The IEA's Global Methane Tracker 2026, released Monday, says methane from oil, gas and coal held near record levels in 2025 at about 124 million tonnes, or roughly 35% of human-caused methane.
- The agency estimates quick repairs and better operations across gas systems could free about 15 billion cubic metres of gas soon, with roughly 100 bcm a year possible over time and another 100 bcm by ending non-emergency flaring.
- French officials convened governments, industry and experts in Paris under the G7 presidency to push faster action before COP31, with Minister Monique Barbut warning the world is very far from the pledge to cut methane 30% by 2030.
- The IEA links methane cuts to energy security after the Strait of Hormuz disruption removed close to 20% of global LNG trade, saying abatement could offset about twice those lost volumes.
- Emissions are concentrated in a few countries led by China, the United States and Russia, and the IEA says proven tools like leak detection, electrified equipment and vapor recovery units could abate about 70% of fossil methane at low cost.