A groundbreaking report reveals progress, but also a worrying gap. On November 17, 2025, during COP30 in Belém, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) released the inaugural Global Methane Status Report. Methane (CH4) is a critical GHG because of its very high global warming potential (GWP), more than 80 times stronger than CO₂ over a 20-year period. Although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time, its near-term warming impact is significantly higher.
The CCAC is a voluntary alliance of 200 governments, international organizations, companies, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations committed to reducing short-lived climate pollutants. To date, this presented report has become the most comprehensive assessment of the progress of the Global Methane Pledge (GMP). This initiative, launched in 2021 at COP26 by Canada and the European Union, aims to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030, using 2020 levels as a reference. Currently bringing together 159 countries and the European Commission, the report presents a mixed assessment: while it shows signs of progress, it also warns that current actions are not sufficient to meet the global target set.
One of the main messages of the report is that, despite the less-alarming scenario than the one projected in 2021, global methane emissions continue to rise. The progress made is largely due to regulatory advances in regions such as Europe and North America, along with slower growth in the natural gas market between 2020 and 2024. These factors have allowed forecasts for 2030 to be lower than expected a few years ago. Nevertheless, a significant ambition gap remains.
Despite these improvements, leaders and experts agree that progress remains insufficient. During the ministerial meeting of the pledge, several representatives emphasized that solutions exist and are readily available. However, many countries still lack dedicated regulations, sector-specific plans, or adequate financing, especially in high-impact sectors such as energy, waste, and agriculture. The real challenge is to increase their scale of implementation and strengthen transparency in emissions measurement and reporting, which are fundamental to ensuring real results.
Julie Dabrusin, Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, noted that every ton of methane reduced contributes to improving air quality and strengthening economic resilience. Other leaders, such as Dan Jørgensen of the European Union, stressed that international cooperation will be vital to achieve the necessary reduction levels.
Available Measures, Mitigation Potential, and Direct Benefits
The report notes that updated national commitments through mid-2025, including NDCs and specific methane plans, could reduce global emissions by 8% by 2030 if fully implemented. Although this would be the largest sustained reduction on record, it is still far from the 30% reduction target set by the GMP. To close this gap, the report emphasizes that over 80% of the mitigation potential can be realized through low-cost, ready-to-implement measures in all emitting sectors.
Among these available measures are:
- Detection and repair of leaks in energy infrastructure
- Closure of abandoned oil and gas wells
- Improved water management for rice cultivation, a major methane source
- Segregation and proper treatment of organic waste in urban areas
The energy sector has the highest reduction potential, accounting for 72% of the total due to emissions associated with the extraction, transport, and processing of fossil fuels. This is followed by the waste (18%) and agriculture (10%) sectors. In addition, 72% of the global mitigation potential is concentrated in the G20+ economies, which could cut their emissions by 36% if they implement all available measures.
Measures in the fossil fuel sector could be implemented using only 2% of the global revenues of this industry in 2023, demonstrating that methane mitigation is economically viable and accessible. In addition to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), the report also highlights significant social and economic benefits. If the available measures were fully implemented, the world could:
- Prevent over 180,000 premature deaths annually, primarily from air pollution
- Avoid the loss of 19 million tons of crops, enhancing global food security
An International Call to Accelerate Action Before 2030
The report and statements from various international leaders agree that the coming years will be crucial. Methane is a short-lived gas, which means that reductions implemented now can have immediate effects in slowing global warming. Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, recalled that acting quickly not only reduces climate impact, but also protects public health and strengthens food security.
Despite the progress made since 2021, political leaders have warned that the international community must intensify efforts. This includes scaling up proven actions, improving transparency in emissions reporting, closing financing gaps, and strengthening measurement mechanisms. The report makes it clear that decisions made between 2025 and 2030 will determine the course for whether the world achieves cleaner air, stronger economies, and a safer climate for the future.