The UN Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition released the Global Methane Status Report 2025 on November 17 at COP30 in Belém. The report says the world is cutting methane, but not at the pace needed to meet the 2030 Global Methane Pledge. It tracks global emissions, national policies, and available technology, and outlines a narrow five-year period for action.
The release follows UNEP’s An Eye on Methane 2025 study from October. That work used satellite data to show rising detection of methane leaks but limited response. Nearly nine out of ten leaks remain unresolved. One-third of methane from oil and gas now has real-world measurement data. OGMP 2.0 tracks 42 per cent of global output.
Rising emissions despite growing attention
Methane reached about 352 million tonnes in 2020. The new report projects an increase to 369 million tonnes by 2030 under current rules. Growth in agriculture and waste drives most of this rise. The world has agreed to cut methane at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. Current trends fall short of that commitment.
The report notes a slower growth rate than earlier forecasts. Waste rules in Europe and North America, stronger governance in key emitting countries, and weaker gas demand between 2020 and 2024 have reduced expected 2030 emissions.
More countries now include methane in national climate plans. Sixty-five per cent of Paris Agreement Parties include methane measures, up from 92 countries before 2020. If these plans are delivered, methane would peak this decade and fall to eight per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. UNEP says the drop would be large by historical standards, yet still short of the pledge.
Julie Dabrusin, Canada’s environment minister and co-convenor of the pledge, said: “This report is a crucial assessment of our progress and a key indicator of the work that’s required to meet the Global Methane Pledge goal.”
Energy sector shows largest potential
UNEP estimates that more than 72 per cent of possible 2030 reductions lie in oil, gas, and coal operations. Leak detection programs, limits on venting and flaring, upgrades to distribution systems, and methane capture systems can deliver fast results. Many of these steps save money or break even.
Rules for methane in the oil and gas sector have expanded. The European Union’s import standard is one example. Enforcement and data transparency remain uneven. Coal operations trail far behind despite available technologies.
Dan Jørgensen, the European Commissioner for energy and housing, said the pledge has “transformed ambition into tangible progress” and called for wider use of available tools.
UNEP estimates that all feasible energy measures would cost about 98 billion dollars per year. The benefits could reach more than 330 billion dollars per year by 2030.
Methane from waste is expected to grow by 13 per cent by 2030 and 56 per cent by 2050. UNEP links this rise to population growth and higher consumption. Low-efficiency systems in fast-growing cities pose a challenge but also a chance to reduce emissions over time.
Landfill gas capture, composting, anaerobic digestion, stronger disposal site rules, and food waste separation are listed as key steps. These measures could cut 13 million tonnes per year by 2030 and 21 million tonnes by 2040.
Agriculture remains the biggest source
Agriculture makes up 42 per cent of global methane emissions. Livestock digestion, rice fields, and manure are the main contributors. UNEP projects an eight per cent rise by 2030. Feed additives, improved breeding, new water controls in rice fields, and bans on crop-residue burning could cut emissions by 24 million tonnes by 2030. Uptake of these tools remains limited.
The report highlights the need for reliable monitoring. Satellite systems have expanded, but underreporting remains a problem. UNEP says stronger monitoring and verification will guide investment and raise accountability.
Inger Andersen, UNEP’s executive director, said: “Reducing methane emissions is one of the most immediate and effective steps we can take to slow the climate crisis while protecting human health.”
Finance grows but falls short of demand
Tracked methane finance reached 13.7 billion dollars in 2021–22. UNEP says meeting the pledge requires 127 billion dollars each year by 2030. This remains a small share of global climate funding when compared with fossil fuel revenues and agricultural subsidies.
Canada used the first week of COP30 to promote market-based tools for emissions cuts. Minister Dabrusin announced Canada will join the Coalition to Grow Carbon Markets and endorsed the Open Coalition on Compliance Carbon Markets. Canada plans to finalize stronger methane rules for oil and gas and new rules for landfills.
Canada also backed a coal phase-out plan through the Powering Past Coal Alliance, signed a wildfire cooperation agreement with Brazil, and joined a declaration on sustainable chemicals and materials.
UNEP states that proven tools exist across all sectors, but rapid action is needed in the next five years. The report presents a clear message: the window for meeting the methane pledge is closing fast.
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