Energy crisis fuels calls to cut methane emissions
World officials pushed for faster action to reduce methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector to slow climate change and boost energy security. The International Energy Agency said methane emissions from the sector remained near record highs despite known mitigation pathways.
World officials met in Paris to push for faster action to reduce methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector. Methane is the second biggest contributor to climate change and has a warming effect 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. The fossil fuel sector accounts for 35% of methane emissions from human activity. Cutting leaks and flaring from oil and gas operations could increase energy availability while reducing emissions. The International Energy Agency said nearly 100 billion cubic metres of natural gas could be made available annually by cutting methane from oil and gas operations. Reducing methane emissions is seen as a key step to slow global warming, improve public health, and increase energy security.
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