The United Nations has confirmed that major methane leaks continue around the globe, with nearly 90 per cent of alerts ignored. Methane is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas with over 80 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide in the short term. However, despite satellite breakthroughs allowing precise leak detection, industries and governments remain slow in response.
The fifth edition of UNEP’s Eye on Methane report underscores that only 12 per cent of methane alerts generated by satellites result in mitigation measures globally.
Methane: A Fast Track to Climate Mitigation
Methane contributes to roughly a third of total global warming and ranks as the second-largest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) explains that cutting human-caused methane emissions by half within this decade could slow warming more effectively than nearly any other immediate action.
Because methane dissipates faster than CO₂, its reduction can quickly stabilize climate systems—helping to “buy time” for deeper decarbonization.
“Reducing methane emissions can swiftly bend the curve on global warming,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director. “However, that progress must translate into measurable cuts, not just data transparency.”
The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)
In 2022, UNEP launched the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), a first-of-its-kind global satellite network for real-time methane leak detection. The system scans for unintentional emissions from oil, gas, and coal sectors using artificial intelligence analysis and satellite verification.
So far, MARS has identified over 3,500 methane release events in 33 countries. Yet, only one in ten has led to meaningful action. Most alerts remain unanswered by national regulators or operators.
The UN notes that while public transparency has improved, detection alone does not reduce emissions unless swiftly followed by ground-level repairs.
The Promise and Limits of Detection Technology
Satellites have revolutionized how the world monitors methane. High-resolution sensors now capture emissions visible from space, even identifying leaks smaller than 25 kilograms per hour. However, UNEP warns that information without enforcement is ineffective. Satellites can detect plumes instantly, but responsibility falls to operators and governments to seal leaks promptly.
Methane leaks often result from poorly maintained infrastructure, malfunctioning valves, or incomplete flaring at extraction sites. These problems are low-cost fixes compared to the billions spent on extraction.
The Role of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0
The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0, coordinated by UNEP, is currently the world’s key transparency framework for the fossil fuel industry. More than 150 companies, covering 42 per cent of global oil and gas production, have joined OGMP 2.0. The standard requires real-world emission measurements — not just estimates — to qualify for the “Gold Standard” performance label.
Approximately 65 companies, representing 17 per cent of production, have achieved this standard, while 50 more are on track. UNEP encourages all companies to adopt OGMP 2.0 to ensure accurate data collection and public accountability. Real measurement is essential for trust and effective action.
Methane Response Trends: Slow but Improving
When MARS began operation in 2022, only one per cent of methane alerts received responses. The rate has now climbed to 12 per cent, showing gradual progress. Governments in ten countries have documented mitigation actions following MARS alerts, but this still represents just a fraction of the total identified emissions.
According to UNEP, the coming years will determine whether data transparency can transform into real-world improvements. The ultimate success of the programme will depend on corporate accountability and legal enforcement.
Expanding Coverage Beyond Oil and Gas
Although fossil fuel extraction remains the largest methane source, other sectors are now receiving greater scrutiny. The MARS system is expanding to cover emissions from coal mines, landfills, and waste treatment facilities — areas previously underreported but with significant reduction potential.
One new initiative is the Steel Methane Programme, aimed at the metallurgical coal used in steel manufacturing. This industry contributes roughly one-quarter of the steel sector’s total climate footprint.
UNEP estimates that these emissions could be reduced at just one per cent of steel production costs using available capture and oxidation technologies.
Methane Science and Global Collaboration
Through its International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), UNEP supports scientific research to close knowledge gaps across industries and countries.
IMEO has funded 46 peer-reviewed methane studies on six continents. These range from testing new detection technologies at oil facilities to evaluating emissions from metallurgical coal-producing regions. New baseline studies are also quantifying methane emissions from rice cultivation and livestock — sectors critical to many developing economies where mitigation opportunities remain largely untapped.
Such research forms the foundation for local-scale policies that can be integrated into global efforts, reducing uncertainty and aligning national targets with international climate reporting.
Monitoring Methane at Scale: The Data Revolution
The UN methane detection system leverages artificial intelligence along with a constellation of collaborative satellites. This includes sensors from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel programme, NASA’s EMIT mission, and Canada’s GHGSat satellites.
Together, these platforms help pinpoint “super-emitters” — individual sources often responsible for up to half of total sector emissions.
Data transparency is now transforming how energy markets assess environmental compliance. Real-time satellite intelligence enables both investors and governments to identify problem sites and demand corrective action quickly.
However, UNEP warns that voluntary measures without legal reinforcement have limits. The world needs stronger methane accountability frameworks to ensure follow-through on repairs and penalties for repeated violations.
A Widening Gap Between Promise and Practice
Although international cooperation is improving, global methane levels remain near record highs. Industries often respond only after public exposure or regulatory intervention. The UN cautions that failure to act on alerts undermines both national climate pledges and the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
It notes that cutting methane emissions could reduce global warming by 0.3°C before 2050 — making it among the fastest climate solutions available today.
However, unless governments implement enforcement mechanisms, the opportunity will shrink as global infrastructure expands and leak points multiply.
Looking Ahead to Accelerated Mitigation
By 2030, UNEP hopes to integrate MARS data directly into national regulatory databases, allowing automated compliance enforcement. Many countries are developing methane performance standards for oil, gas, and mining sectors. Satellite verification will serve as their backbone, ensuring independent validation of industrial reporting.
International collaboration, transparent publishing of plume data, and corporate accountability will be the pillars of this new methane reduction era. “The technology and science are already here,” said Andersen. “The next phase must focus on action and measurable impact. Seeing is not enough — stopping is what matters.”
Why Methane Action Matters Now
Every decade of delayed methane reduction worsens extreme climatic effects, including droughts, floods, and crop damage. Methane cuts deliver rapid benefits for air quality and public health because they also reduce associated pollutants such as ground-level ozone.
Reducing methane protects not only the planet but also economic stability and human well-being, making it one of the most urgent frontiers in environmental action.
Turning Satellite Data Into Global Policy
As the world heads toward COP30 in Brazil, methane reduction is expected to be a leading topic on the climate agenda. UNEP’s MARS system demonstrates what technology can achieve when paired with open data and global cooperation. Yet progress remains fragile without global alignment and regulatory muscle.
For now, satellites can see every plume. The challenge is ensuring those on the ground are ready to act, repair, and change. By reducing methane emissions promptly, nations can make meaningful progress in cooling Earth — while there is still time.
