Methane-emission mitigation stagnates: IEA

Countries and companies can do more to curb methane emissions to strengthen energy security amid the current crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said, adding that despite proven mitigation pathways and progress made, fossil fuels continue to account for about 35% of methane emissions.

The IEA presents new estimates in its Global Methane Tracker 2026, calculating that 85 million tonnes (Mt) of emissions were tied to fossil fuels operations in 2025, which came from the 10 biggest emitters of methane. China is the largest emitter, driven by coal operations, followed by the US and Russia.

Global average upstream methane intensity of oil and gas production has fallen by around 10% since 2019, the IEA said, but performance varies widely across countries.

Norway has the lowest upstream intensity, while producers in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also perform relatively well. Turkmenistan and Venezuela on the other hand have by far the highest methane intensities.

The most intensive coal-sector emissions are found in the Caspian Sea region, while India, Indonesia and Australia report intensities that are well below the global average.

The report mentions BHP, which has pledged to minimise fugitive methane "to the greatest extent technically and commercially viable," using existing or emerging technologies.

As methane emissions from the energy sector plateaued near record highs in 2025, the study found a large implementation gap and significant scope for further action.

"In recent years, countries and companies have raised their ambitions on methane, moving the issue higher up the policy agenda. However, setting reduction targets is only a first step, and it is important to ensure they are backed up by policies, implementation plans and real actions," IEA chief energy economist Tim Gould said.

"This is not only a climate issue: there are also major energy security benefits that can come from tackling methane and flaring, especially at a time when the world is urgently looking for additional supply amid the current crisis."

The study pointed to the current crisis in the Middle East reshaping the global energy system and disrupting about 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade flows.

As countries seek alternative sources of gas to replace lost volumes, the IEA said large quantities of produced gas are not being put to productive use, owing to methane leaks, and flaring and venting from oil and gas operations.

"While not all of this waste can be recovered, reducing flaring and methane emissions has the potential to bring significant additional volumes to market. We estimate that nearly 100 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas could be made available annually through a global effort to cut methane from oil and gas operations, with a further 100 bcm unlocked through the elimination of nonemergency flaring worldwide," the report said.