Methane has contributed to around 30% of the global rise in temperatures to date, and curbing these emissions is the most effective means available for limiting global warming in the near term. Emissions from fossil fuel operations present a major opportunity in this respect, since the pathways to reduction are both clear and cost-effective. Fossil fuel operations generated close to 120 Mt of methane in 2020 – nearly one-third of all methane emissions from human activity. The scope for reducing these emissions is enormous. This is particularly true in the oil and gas sector, where it is possible to avoid more than 70% of current emissions with existing technology, and where around 45% could be avoided at no net cost.

Reducing fossil fuel demand alone will not do the job quickly or effectively enough, which means early and concerted abatement efforts by governments and industry are essential. Under the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, methane emissions from fossil fuel operations would need to fall by around 75% between 2020 and 2030. Only about one-third of this decrease is the result of reduced consumption of fossil fuels, principally coal. Most of the decline comes from the rapid deployment of measures and technologies to eliminate avoidable methane emissions by 2030.

A number of countries have already shown leadership through ambitious policy commitments on methane. Some have included methane alongside other greenhouse gases as part of their national net zero pledges, while others have set dedicated targets like the new Global Methane Pledge, led by the European Union and the United States. Cutting methane emissions from fossil fuel operations can, and should, play a central role in national efforts to meet these goals.