IEA Finds No Fall in Energy Methane in 2025 and Says Abatement Could Free Up 200 bcm of Gas a Year

Methane emissions from fossil fuel operations showed no sign of falling in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency's Global Methane Tracker 2026, published on 4 May 2026. The IEA estimates that oil, gas and coal operations emitted 124 million tonnes of methane during the year. Oil was the largest source at 45 Mt, followed by coal at 43 Mt and natural gas at 36 Mt. A further 20 Mt came from bioenergy, mostly from the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass for cooking and heating.

The report was launched at a high-level event on methane convened by France's G7 presidency in Paris. "This is not only a climate issue: there are also major energy security benefits that can come from tackling methane and flaring, especially at a time when the world is urgently looking for additional supply amid the current crisis," said Tim Gould, the IEA's chief energy economist. The IEA estimates that around 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions, nearly 85 Mt, could be abated with existing technologies.

Upstream activities account for 80% of methane emissions from oil and gas. Around 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions came from the top 10 emitting countries, more than 85 Mt in total. Methane intensity, the amount emitted per unit of energy produced, varies by a factor of more than 100 between the best and worst performers. The report notes progress in some places, including fewer super-emitting events detected in Algeria and Argentina, and studies suggesting tighter rules and structural changes have slowed the growth of coal mine methane in China.

The Global Methane Pledge, launched in 2021 with a goal of cutting global methane emissions 30% by 2030, now has 159 countries plus the EU as participants. The IEA estimates that if every country implemented tried-and-tested policies, including limits on flaring and venting, leak detection requirements and technology standards, global methane emissions from oil and gas would fall by more than half. The IEA notes the growing number of satellites monitoring methane, from wide-area instruments such as TROPOMI to high-resolution satellites that can pinpoint individual facilities.