Abstract
Methane (CH4) mitigation is one of the most powerful and cost-effective strategies to
slow near-term warming and deliver major benefits for air quality, public health and food security. Despite rising global emissions, momentum for action has been strong, driven by increasing political will, available and cost-effective technological solutions, and economic incentives.
The Global Methane Pledge (GMP), launched in 2021, has catalysed ambitious action.
New initiatives and policy plans have laid the foundations for accelerated implementation of methane abatement in the years ahead. Reaching the GMP target of reducing global anthropogenic emissions by at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030 is technically still possible in case of full implementation of proven technical methane abatement measures.
Most of these solutions are low-cost and offer climate, air-pollution and development
benefits that far exceed their costs. The energy sector has the largest reduction opportunity, with measures that prevent production losses and come at particularly low or even negative cost. Success will, however, depend on robust emissions monitoring, stronger policies and a significant scale-up in finance flows. Rapid methane reductions must be integrated with broader transformations in energy and food systems and resource efficiency towards circular economy to stay aligned with internationally agreed climate goals. The next five years will be decisive in turning down the heat and reducing risks of reaching climate tipping points. Immediate action on methane can deliver fast, multiple wins for the climate and clean air.
slow near-term warming and deliver major benefits for air quality, public health and food security. Despite rising global emissions, momentum for action has been strong, driven by increasing political will, available and cost-effective technological solutions, and economic incentives.
The Global Methane Pledge (GMP), launched in 2021, has catalysed ambitious action.
New initiatives and policy plans have laid the foundations for accelerated implementation of methane abatement in the years ahead. Reaching the GMP target of reducing global anthropogenic emissions by at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030 is technically still possible in case of full implementation of proven technical methane abatement measures.
Most of these solutions are low-cost and offer climate, air-pollution and development
benefits that far exceed their costs. The energy sector has the largest reduction opportunity, with measures that prevent production losses and come at particularly low or even negative cost. Success will, however, depend on robust emissions monitoring, stronger policies and a significant scale-up in finance flows. Rapid methane reductions must be integrated with broader transformations in energy and food systems and resource efficiency towards circular economy to stay aligned with internationally agreed climate goals. The next five years will be decisive in turning down the heat and reducing risks of reaching climate tipping points. Immediate action on methane can deliver fast, multiple wins for the climate and clean air.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 147 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Nov 2025 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action
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