Methane emissions targeted in International Energy Agency report

Developed in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels report shows that while a drop in fossil fuel demand would cut methane emissions, these reductions in isolation would not occur fast enough to meet the world’s climate goals. Efforts to reduce methane must go together with decarbonisation of energy systems, the report noted.

According to the report, additional targeted actions to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use – including the removal of routine venting and flaring and repairing leaks – are essential to limit warming to 1.5°C.

The new report finds that rapid cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuels could avoid up to 0.1°C in global temperature rise by mid-century, which is said to be greater than the emissions impact of immediately taking all cars and trucks in the world off the road.