UN sees uptick in global methane reporting

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🗞️ Driving the news: More than 150 energy companies — including major players like ExxonMobil — are now providing improved, measurement-based methane emissions data under the UN-backed International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO), according to a new UNEP progress report
• The development marks a growing industry shift toward transparency and scientific monitoring as part of the broader Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030

🔭 The context: Methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for about one-third of current global warming, has long suffered from underreporting and unreliable estimates
• The IMEO initiative, launched in 2021, aims to close that gap by supporting empirical field measurements, particularly in oil and gas operations
• The new report comes just weeks before COP30 negotiations in Brazil, where methane action is expected to feature prominently on the agenda

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Methane is over 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year period, making rapid reductions critical to slowing near-term warming
• Improved emissions tracking strengthens accountability and enables more targeted mitigation — especially in the fossil fuel sector, which accounts for the largest share of human-driven methane emissions
• As countries and companies adopt stronger measurement standards, the potential for verifiable, scalable climate action increases significantly

⏭️ What's next: The UN and partners will continue expanding the IMEO's reach, pushing for broader participation and integration with national climate strategies
• More countries may commit to mandatory reporting rules or satellite monitoring systems, especially in the lead-up to 2030
• At COP30, new methane finance mechanisms and regulatory frameworks are expected to be discussed, building momentum for rapid, cost-effective emissions abatement

💬 One quote: “Reliable measurement-based data is required not only to guide effective and efficient mitigation, but also to track changes in emissions over time and assess progress toward climate goals,” — UNEP IMEO report

📈 One stat: Over 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, with UNEP's IMEO providing the measurement framework for tracking progress

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