IEA: Methane Emissions from Energy Sector Near Record Highs in 2025, with Mitigation Potential to Boost Gas Supply

Methane emissions from the energy sector remained near record highs in 2025, with little progress in reducing them from fossil fuel operations despite well-known mitigation pathways, the International Energy Agency stated in its Global Methane Tracker 2026 released on Monday.

The report estimates that tackling these emissions could make 200 billion cubic meters of natural gas available annually through measures, including nearly 100 billion cubic metres from cutting methane in oil and gas operations and a further 100 billion cubic metres from eliminating non-emergency flaring worldwide.

Nearly 15 billion cubic metres could be made available in a short period to provide relief to gas markets strained by ongoing global disruptions.

The oil, gas, and coal industries account for about 35 percent of all methane emissions from human activity, totaling 124 million tonnes a year from those sources. Oil contributes 45 million tonnes annually, coal 43 million tonnes, and natural gas 36 million tonnes, with an additional 20 million tonnes coming from bioenergy production and consumption.

Methane, the second-biggest contributor to climate change, stays in the atmosphere for far less time than carbon dioxide but has a warming effect roughly 80 times more potent over a 20-year period.

These findings come amid energy supply constraints triggered by the United States and Israel launching their war against Iran in late February, after which Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response. An April ceasefire between the sides is currently holding, but the ongoing crisis is disrupting about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade flows.

The IEA emphasized that methane emissions from fossil fuel operations are not falling, underscoring the potential for mitigation to strengthen energy security.

France, as the rotating chair of the Group of Seven bloc of industrialised powers, convened government officials, industry leaders, and experts on Monday to build momentum on cutting methane emissions ahead of the United Nations’ November COP31 summit.

Barbut noted that the world remains very far from meeting a pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared with 2020 levels. The conference in Paris aimed to rally collective action, with participants discussing strategies to address emissions from the fossil fuel sector.

The IEA's report highlights how addressing methane could alleviate effects of the Iran crisis on global energy supply, pointing to the sector's role in broader climate efforts. Emissions from oil, gas, and coal have persisted at high levels, with bioenergy adding to the total through incomplete combustion in traditional uses for cooking and heating in developing economies.

Officials at the French-led meeting stressed the urgency of collaborative measures to meet international targets.