A new wave of data is bringing unprecedented transparency to the fight against methane, a potent greenhouse gas, yet the global response remains too slow to meet critical climate goals, according to a new report from the UN Environment Program (UNEP).
The fifth edition of the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) report, An Eye on Methane: From measurement to momentum, reveals significant progress in tracking emissions. Member companies of UNEP’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) are now set to track one-third of emissions from global oil and gas production using real-world measurements, moving beyond estimates that have historically underestimated the problem.
The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) is the flagship oil and gas reporting and mitigation program of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). It is the only comprehensive, measurement-based international reporting framework for the sector.
Furthermore, government and company responses to satellite-based methane alerts have grown more than tenfold in the past year, climbing from 1% to 12%. Despite this increase, nearly 90% of the over 3,500 alerts issued across 33 countries remain unanswered, highlighting a significant gap between detection and action.
“Reducing methane emissions can quickly bend the curve on global warming, buying more time for long-term decarbonization efforts,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
The OGMP 2.0, which has more than doubled its membership to 153 companies over five years, is becoming a foundational element of global regulation, including in the European Union. Of the reporting companies, 65 have achieved the “Gold Standard” of using real-world measurements, with another 50 on a pathway to meet it.
“It is encouraging that data-driven tools are helping the oil and gas industry to report on its emissions and set ambitious mitigation targets. But to keep the Paris Agreement targets within reach, the important progress on reporting must translate into cuts to emissions,” added Inger.
The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which uses satellites and AI to identify major emission events, is demonstrating its potential. Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) is the first public global satellite detection and notification system providing actionable data on very large methane emissions around the world.
UNEP has documented 25 cases of mitigation action in ten countries since its 2022 launch. However, the low overall response rate emphasizes the need for greater engagement.
The effort is now expanding beyond oil and gas as IMEO is scaling up its work on the steel and waste sectors, where methane emissions are poorly measured but mitigation is cost-effective. A new Steel Methane Program will create a transparency database for emissions from metallurgical coal, which adds a quarter to the climate footprint of steel.
“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. “Credible data from UNEP’s IMEO enables standards and partnerships that make accountability the norm across global energy supply chains.”
While the tools for identification are improving rapidly, the report concludes that the pace of concrete action must accelerate to achieve the Global Methane Pledge goal of cutting methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
This sentiment was echoed by international partners. “The Government of Japan expects IMEO to contribute to accelerating global action on methane emission reductions through collaboration with governments, industries, and civil society,” said Takehiko Matsuo, Vice-Minister for International Affairs of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
