Governments and energy companies are increasingly acting on methane emission alerts, but global efforts must accelerate to meet the 2030 target of cutting methane by 30 per cent, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The report — An Eye on Methane: From Measurement to Momentum — published by UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), reveals that government and industry responses to over 3,500 methane alerts have risen from just one per cent last year to 12 per cent in 2025. However, nearly 90 per cent of reported cases still remain unaddressed.
Methane, a greenhouse gas about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is responsible for roughly one-third of global warming.
“Reducing methane emissions can quickly bend the curve on global warming,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director. “But progress on reporting must now translate into real emission cuts. Every company should join the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, and both governments and operators must respond to satellite alerts — then act to reduce emissions.”
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Oil and gas sector steps up monitoring
The report highlights that companies under UNEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) are on track to monitor one-third of all methane emissions from global oil and gas production using real-world data — a significant shift from traditional estimates.
OGMP 2.0, regarded as the global benchmark for methane measurement and mitigation, now has 153 member companies across multiple countries, covering 42 per cent of global oil and gas output.
Of these, 65 firms — representing 17 per cent of global production — have achieved the “Gold Standard” in emission tracking, while another 50 are on a pathway to achieving the same level.
Response to alerts growing, but gaps remain
Through its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), UNEP has issued more than 3,500 satellite-based alerts about major methane leaks across 33 countries. These alerts are derived from a combination of satellite data and artificial intelligence analysis.
Although responses increased tenfold over the past year, UNEP says much faster action is needed. The system has documented 25 cases of mitigation action in 10 countries, including six new ones in the past year alone.
Expanding beyond oil and gas
UNEP is also extending methane monitoring to coal mines and waste sites, and launching a Steel Methane Programme targeting emissions from metallurgical coal used in steelmaking — a largely neglected contributor to the sector’s climate footprint.
The initiative will establish a Steel Methane Transparency Database to track mine-level emissions using satellite data, empirical studies, and industry partnerships.
IMEO has further supported 46 peer-reviewed studies across six continents, helping test new emission measurement technologies and develop baseline data for methane emissions from rice farming and livestock.
Global partners call for urgent action
International partners commended UNEP’s data-driven approach while stressing that more transparency and cooperation are essential to reach global goals.
“Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases. Tackling it is among the fastest ways to slow global warming,” said Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing.
Takehiko Matsuo, Japan’s Vice-Minister for International Affairs, added that “accurate, actionable data” is key to accelerating global mitigation efforts, noting that Japan’s new GOSAT-GW satellite will help enhance space-based methane monitoring through UNEP’s MARS system.
As UNEP continues to refine global methane tracking, experts agree that turning data into decisive action will determine whether the world can meet the Global Methane Pledge and keep the Paris Agreement goals within reach.
