Methane (CH4) concentrations are reaching record highs. Despite receiving less attention than carbon dioxide, this gas is dangerously accelerating global warming. A new study from the Global Carbon Project raises the alarm.
While promises to reduce methane emissions proliferate, the numbers continue to rise. The situation appears intractable, even after commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow, 2021.
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Methane has a warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period. It is also responsible for one-third of global warming since the pre-industrial era. Yet, it is often overlooked in climate policies, even though its lifespan in the atmosphere is relatively short (12 years compared to several centuries for carbon dioxide), meaning that every concrete action can deliver immediate results.
In 2020, methane emissions reached a record of 400 million metric tons (440 million US tons) emitted. This figure continues to rise, despite over 100 countries pledging to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030. A pact that already seems in jeopardy.
Agriculture, fossil fuels, and waste are the primary human sources of methane. The largest emitters are China, India, the United States, Brazil, and Russia, while Europe and Australia have managed to reduce their emissions.
However, solutions exist to limit these emissions. Detecting and repairing leaks, capturing vented gases, and improving waste management could contribute to a swift reduction in methane emissions. In agriculture, adjustments to livestock feed and better management of organic waste could also help.
The UN, during the latest negotiations, removed all references to phasing out fossil fuels. This decision highlights the persistent gap between political declarations and concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gases.
Scientists insist: action is urgently needed. It's no longer a matter of promises but of real measures to curb the rise in global temperatures. By targeting methane, short-term warming could be significantly slowed.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND