Key findings

The Global Methane Tracker 2026 report reveals that global energy-related methane emissions remained high in 2025, totalling 124 million tonnes (Mt). The fossil fuel sector accounts for approximately 35% of methane emissions from human activity, yet there is no indication that these emissions are falling despite record production outputs. Oil operations represent the largest source at 45 Mt, followed by coal at 43 Mt and natural gas at 36 Mt. Bioenergy contributes a further 20 Mt, primarily from the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass in developing economies. While global upstream emissions intensity for oil and gas has fallen by about 10% since 2019, improvements have largely been offset by rising output. Approximately 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions originate from the top 10 emitting countries, led by China, the United States, and Russia.

Understanding methane emissions

Methane is the second-most harmful greenhouse gas, responsible for nearly 30% of the rise in global average temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Although it lingers in the atmosphere for only 12 years, it absorbs significantly more energy than carbon dioxide during that time. The energy sector accounts for around 40% of methane emissions from human activity, emitting nearly 150 Mt in 2025. Upstream activities, including extraction and processing, cause 80% of oil and gas methane. Abandoned mines and wells also pose a significant challenge, emitting roughly 8 Mt in 2025, with millions of unplugged wells globally continuing to leak for decades.

Policy trends

High-level methane pledges now cover 80% of global fossil fuel production, but existing policies and regulations are projected to cut emissions by only 25% by 2035, falling short of international goals. The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) currently includes 159 countries targeting a 30% reduction by 2030. In 2025, Canada amended federal regulations to target a 72% reduction in oil and gas emissions by 2030. The European Union’s Methane Regulation has introduced mandatory monitoring and leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements. Other nations, including Nigeria, have introduced fiscal incentives for gas reinjection, while Kazakhstan and Ghana are developing robust regulatory frameworks to eliminate non-emergency venting and flaring.

Addressing methane in the marketplace

There is increasing momentum for import standards to address emissions linked to energy consumption. For major importers like the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and China, methane tied to imported fossil fuels (15 Mt in 2024) significantly outweighs domestic production emissions (5 Mt). Reducing import intensities to 0.2%—a level achievable with existing technology—would cut global emissions by over 12 Mt. A coordinated import standard would also enhance energy security by making more than 25 billion cubic metres of additional gas available through the reduction of leaks and flaring.

Strategies to speed action

Abating methane is one of the most cost-effective climate actions, with most measures in the oil and gas sector becoming viable at a carbon price of approximately USD 20 per tonne of CO2-equivalent. Around 30% of potential reductions in fossil fuel emissions could be achieved at no net cost because the value of the captured gas exceeds the abatement cost. Achieving a 75% reduction by 2035 would require an average annual investment of USD 28 billion, with USD 22 billion needed for oil and gas and USD 7 billion for coal. This investment represents less than 2% of the fossil fuel industry’s annual net income.

Recent insights from methane emissions studies

Satellite technology and data processing are rapidly improving the detection and quantification of emissions. In 2025, satellites detected over 5 million tonnes of methane from large-scale emission events. The GHGSat constellation has attributed 8.3 Mt of methane to more than 3,000 sites, noting that coal mine emissions tend to be more persistent than oil and gas leaks. New high-resolution satellites, such as Tanager-1 and MethaneSAT, provide robust basin-level estimates, while the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) continues to notify governments of actionable events. However, global engagement with these alerts remains low, with only 12% of notifications receiving a response in 2025.

Regional insights

Regional performance varies widely; Norway records the lowest upstream intensity, while Turkmenistan and Venezuela record the highest. China remains the world’s largest individual methane emitter, releasing over 25 Mt in 2025, mostly from coal mining. In Eurasia, Russia accounts for 60% of the region’s 24 Mt of emissions. North American operations emitted nearly 24 Mt, with the United States responsible for 85% of that total. In the Middle East and North Africa, emissions reached 20 Mt, driven largely by continuous flaring. Australia, despite being the fourth-largest coal producer, maintains an emissions intensity roughly half the global average.