Clearing the air on methane: a global review of emissions, ambition and the policy landscape

Rapidly reducing methane emissions is critical to keeping the 1.5°C temperature limit within reach. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential roughly 28 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Although its atmospheric lifetime is much shorter – about 12 years – its potency means that cutting methane can deliver rapid and significant climate benefits.

This report assesses emissions, targets, and policies for 72 countries that collectively account for over 90% of global methane emissions, providing a robust foundation for understanding progress and gaps in global methane mitigation efforts. All databases developed for this project are publicly available through the Global Methane Explorer.