IEA: Methane emissions from fossil fuel production increased, but can be prevented

Global methane emissions from fossil fuel production, a significant source of greenhouse gases, rose slightly last year. This is shown by data published today by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Much of these emissions could have been avoided, the agency added, and it expects the amount of methane released to decline in the coming years as a result of climate commitments.

According to new IEA data, the production and use of fossil fuels released around 120 million tonnes of methane into the atmosphere last year, a slight increase compared with 2022. Bioenergy sources accounted for a further ten million tonnes of methane emissions. The IEA says emissions remain too high to meet the commitment to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees compared with the pre-industrial era.

„Reducing methane emissions from fossil fuel production by 75 percent this decade is essential to stop the planet from warming to dangerous levels,“ said IEA chief Fatih Birol.

According to the agency, 40 percent of methane emissions from fuels such as oil, gas and coal could have been avoided at no additional cost. The IEA estimates that reducing methane emissions by 75 percent by 2030 would cost 170 billion dollars (3.9 trillion crowns), less than five percent of the fossil fuel industry’s revenue in 2023.

If countries and companies fulfil commitments already made, they will cut methane emissions by half by 2030. The IEA expects efforts to reduce emissions of this gas from the fossil fuel sector to increase from this year.

Methane is estimated to account for around 30 percent of the temperature rise associated with human activities. Around 60 percent of methane emissions are caused by human activity. Agriculture is the largest human source of emissions, followed by fossil fuels.

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