Addressing the issue of methane emissions in climate change and energy security: IEA | Climate Crisis News

Tackling greenhouse gas emissions could help ease Iran’s problems with global energy production, a report says.

Addressing methane emissions in the oil sector can help mitigate climate change and increase energy security, especially when Iran’s crisis threatens the world, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The oil, gas and coal industries account for about 35 percent of all methane emissions from human activities, says the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2026, released on Monday. However, little progress has been made in reducing them, the report says.

“There is no sign that methane emissions from fossil fuels are decreasing, despite well-known and proven mitigation measures,” the IEA said.

Methane, the second largest contributor to climate change, stays in the atmosphere for a much shorter time than carbon dioxide, but its warming is 80 times stronger in 20 years.

The IEA estimates that methane emissions from oil, gas and coal are 124 million tonnes per year. Oil is the largest source at 45 million tons (Mt), followed by coal at 43 Mt, and natural gas at 36 Mt.

“Another 20 Mt comes from bioenergy production and consumption, mainly due to insufficient combustion of natural gas used for cooking and heating in developing countries,” the report added.

Oil prices have risen since the United States and Israel launched it war against Iran in late February and Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response. The end of April between the parties is happening, but the global power remains low.

The ongoing crisis is reshaping the world’s electricity supply and disrupting nearly 20 percent of the world’s electricity supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade is underway.

About 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas could be found annually in global efforts to reduce methane from oil and gas, the IEA said, estimating that about 15 billion cubic meters could be found in the short term enough to support oil markets.

Another 100 billion cubic meters have been opened by ending the global emergency, it added.

Paris Initiative

France, using its role as the seat of the Group of Seven (G7) bloc of developed countries, brought together government officials, industry leaders and experts on Monday to promote the reduction of methane emissions.

The conference aimed to reduce methane emissions ahead of the United Nations COP31 conference.

“I sincerely hope that the discussions we will have today will help us join forces to speed up the implementation of solutions to methane emissions,” said French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut in a speech.

“Of course, action on methane is not a fight for any one player and no one can win alone,” he added, saying that the world is “a long way” from meeting the promise of reducing methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.

“Reducing methane emissions is one of the best things we can do to reduce global warming while cleaning up our air, improving public health, and increasing our energy security,” British Secretary of State for Energy Security Ed Miliband said in a video message.