Global Methane Status Report by UNEP highlights persistent effort gaps

At COP30 in Belém, global ministers urged governments to intensify efforts to curb methane emissions, following the release of the Global Methane Status Report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). The report marks the most detailed assessment yet of progress made since the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) was launched in 2021, while warning that current efforts remain insufficient to meet the Pledge’s ambition of reducing emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.

The analysis shows that despite methane emissions continuing to rise, the overall outlook has improved compared with forecasts made in 2021. Thanks to new waste regulations in Europe and North America, as well as slower global natural gas demand between 2020 and 2024, projected methane levels for 2030 are now lower than earlier estimates. However, UNEP warns that only full and rapid implementation of all proven mitigation measures can close the remaining gap.

Ministers at the Global Methane Pledge Ministerial stressed that technologies, policies, and partnerships required to cut methane are readily available across major sectors—energy, agriculture, and waste—but must be deployed at scale without delay. They also called for stronger transparency and reporting from countries to more accurately track progress.

Key findings from the report include:

• Emissions rising but trajectory improving: Existing legislation and shifting market trends are already bending the curve downward compared with previous projections.
• National commitments offer historic potential: Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and national Methane Action Plans submitted by mid-2025 could together deliver an 8% reduction below 2020 levels by 2030—the largest decline ever recorded if fully implemented.
• Ambition must increase to meet the Pledge: Achieving the full 30% reduction will require maximum feasible global mitigation across all emitting sectors.
• Solutions are scalable and cost-effective: Over 80% of the potential 2030 reductions can be achieved at low cost. Energy sector measures—including leak detection, repair, and closure of abandoned wells—represent 72% of total mitigation potential.
• Major economic and health gains: Full implementation could prevent 180,000 premature deaths and avoid 19 million tonnes of crop losses annually by 2030, with fossil fuel sector measures costing just 2% of the industry’s 2023 income.

With nearly three-quarters of global mitigation potential concentrated in G20+ nations, stronger data, finance, and monitoring will be essential.

Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, said, “The Global Methane Pledge has transformed ambition into tangible progress. Across sectors and continents, countries and companies are proving that methane reductions are achievable – and deliver cleaner air, stronger economies, and a safer climate. Our task now is to scale these solutions rapidly, working together to keep 1.5°C within reach and secure a healthier future for our people and our planet.”

Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, stated, “Reducing methane emissions is one of the most immediate and effective steps we can take to slow the climate crisis while protecting human health. Reducing methane also reduces crop losses, essential for both agriculture productivity and food security. UNEP is committed to helping countries turn ambition into action to ensure the solutions in this report deliver real benefits for people and the planet.”