Global methane emissions rising at an alarming rate

Researchers call for immediate action to reduce methane emissions and avert a dangerous escalation of the climate crisis

Global methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, are “rapidly increasing” at the fastest rate in recent decades. Since 2006, emissions have surged significantly and are expected to continue rising unless new measures are implemented to curb this pollution.

A recent study published in Frontiers in Science and conducted by more than a dozen scientists worldwide, warns that while global attention has “rightly” focused on carbon dioxide as the primary driver of rising global temperatures, not enough has been done to address methane. Methane is 80 times more potent as a warming agent than CO2 in the first 20 years after it enters the atmosphere.

Rising methane levels raise concern

The rate of methane growth is accelerating, which is alarming, explains Drew Shindell, a climatologist at Duke University and the lead author of the study.

“Until about 20 years ago, methane levels were relatively flat, but in recent years we’ve seen this massive surge. This has made the challenge of addressing human-induced warming even more daunting.”

Recent trends and contributing factors

Throughout the 2020s, global methane emissions have typically been around 30 million metric tons higher annually than in the previous decade, with record emissions set in both 2021 and 2022. While no single cause is definitive, scientists point to several contributing factors.

Methane is released during the drilling and processing of oil, gas, and coal, with the fracking boom contributing to a wave of new gas projects in this century. The gas is also emitted from livestock and the expansion of animal agriculture, and to a lesser extent, the increase in rice production has also played a role.

Additionally, rising global temperatures are causing faster decomposition of organic matter in wetlands, further releasing methane.

Global initiatives to curb emissions

In 2021, the United States and the European Union launched a new initiative, the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to collectively reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. This initiative now includes 155 countries, but current policies only cover 13% of emissions, and just 2% of global climate funding is directed towards reducing methane emissions, according to the new report.