Methane (CH4) abatement could have unlocked nearly 100 bcm of natural gas for use in 2024, according to the latest Global Methane Tracker report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
It found around 200 bcm of methane was emitted by the fossil fuel sector in 2024 and a further 150 bcm of natural gas was flared.
Most downstream emissions of both gases come from gas transportation, including emissions from transmission and distribution via pipelines or as liquefied natural gas and through regasification, although its share is dwarfed by upstream operations.
Source: IEA Global Methane Tracker
In the oil and gas sector, abatement solutions include upgrading equipment that emits by design, such as replacing wet compressor seals with dry seals, and then using vapour recovery units to recover low-pressure methane flows.
Around 35 Mt of total methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal could be avoided at no net cost, based on average energy prices in 2024, the report adds.
“Many abatement options can still pay for themselves within a year,” it states.
The report argues that companies could be unaware of the scale of the problem or the available benefits. It notes there may be higher profile opportunities competing for investment, or else leadership teams in some companies may perceive methane abatement as more costly than it is.
But it also acknowledges that securing capital for upfront investment can be difficult, especially in developing countries.
Source: IEA Global Methane Tracker
Abandoned coal mines also emitted nearly 5Mt of methane in 2024.
When considering its full lifecycle – including methane and CO2 emissions from supply and CO2 emissions from its combustion – the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of natural gas use is generally much lower than that of coal.
The report also outlines opportunities to reduce methane emissions from modern bioenergy production. These include upgrading biogas and biomethane facilities with low-emission technologies, and deploying solutions like leak detection and repair and thermal oxidisers.
Source: IEA Global Methane Tracker
CH4 has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime than CO2 – around 12 years, compared with centuries – but it absorbs much more energy while it remains in the atmosphere.
Dr Lea Pilsner, Senior Policy Manager at Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF Europe), said the IEA’s new data reinforces a simple truth: transparency is now central to energy security.
“Europe cannot afford to rely on high-emitting suppliers. With the EU Methane Regulation, we are setting clear expectations – rewarding reliability, cutting waste, and protecting against supply chain risk,” she said.
