The International Energy Agency highlights that cutting methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal could not only help slow global warming but also alleviate pressure on strained energy markets amid geopolitical tensions.
Cutting methane from oil, gas and coal operations could do more than slow warming: it could also ease pressure on energy markets at a time of geopolitical strain, according to the International Energy Agency.
In its Global Methane Tracker 2026, the Paris-based agency says the fossil fuel sector is responsible for about 35% of methane released by human activity, yet emissions have shown little sign of falling despite technologies that are already available to reduce them. The report estimates that methane from oil, gas and coal totals 124 million tonnes a year, with oil the biggest source at 45 million tonnes, followed by coal at 43 million tonnes and natural gas at 36 million tonnes.
Methane matters because it is short-lived compared with carbon dioxide, but far more powerful over the near term. The IEA says atmospheric methane levels are now 2.7 times above pre-industrial levels and that the gas has driven close to 30% of the rise in global temperatures since then.
The agency argues that the climate case and the energy-security case now point in the same direction. It says nearly 100 billion cubic metres of gas could be brought to market each year through a global drive to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations, with around 15 billion cubic metres available quickly enough to provide some relief to gas markets. Eliminating routine flaring worldwide could unlock a further 100 billion cubic metres.
That message comes as officials and industry figures gather in France, under the country’s rotating G7 presidency, to try to build momentum behind methane abatement before the UN’s COP31 summit in November. French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut told delegates she hoped the discussions would help accelerate practical action, while Britain’s energy security secretary, Ed Miliband, said in a video message that cutting methane remained one of the most effective ways to slow global warming while improving air quality and public health.
The IEA’s warning also lands against the backdrop of renewed tension around global fuel supply, with the Iran crisis helping to expose how fragile energy flows can be. For industrial decarbonisation professionals, the relevance is clear: methane reduction is no longer a side issue, but a near-term lever for emissions cuts, supply resilience and cost control.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/4/tackling-methane-emissions-key-for-climate-change-and-energy-security-iea?traffic_source=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026 – The International Energy Agency’s Global Methane Tracker 2026 report highlights that the fossil fuel sector accounts for approximately 35% of methane emissions from human activities. Despite the availability of effective mitigation strategies, there has been minimal progress in reducing these emissions. The report underscores the urgent need for enhanced efforts to curb methane emissions to address climate change and bolster energy security.
- https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/key-findings – The IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2026 reveals that methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal operations total 124 million tonnes annually, with oil being the largest source at 45 million tonnes, followed by coal at 43 million tonnes, and natural gas at 36 million tonnes. Additionally, 20 million tonnes of methane emissions stem from bioenergy production and consumption, primarily due to the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass used for cooking and heating in developing economies.
- https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026/understanding-methane-emissions – The IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2026 provides an in-depth analysis of methane emissions, noting that atmospheric methane concentrations are 2.7 times higher than pre-industrial levels, contributing to nearly 30% of the rise in global average temperatures since that era. The report emphasizes the significant role of the energy sector, including oil, natural gas, coal, and bioenergy, in methane emissions and highlights the potential for substantial reductions through existing technologies.
- https://www.catf.us/2026/05/2026-iea-methane-tracker-shows-improved-efficiency-energy-sector-tackle-stubborn-emissions/ – The Clean Air Task Force discusses the IEA’s 2026 Methane Tracker report, which indicates that despite the availability of effective solutions, methane emissions from the energy sector remain persistently high. The report suggests that improved efficiency and the implementation of existing technologies could significantly reduce emissions, potentially making 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas available annually, thereby addressing both climate change and energy security concerns.
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/05/04/hunt-for-methane-leaks-reveals-persistent-pollution-around-french-oil-and-gas-sites_6753118_114.html – An investigation by environmental NGOs Clean Air Task Force and Friends of the Earth found that two-thirds of 64 oil and gas sites in southern France exhibited methane leaks. These emissions, both unintentional and deliberate, contribute to climate change and pose health and safety risks. The findings highlight the need for stricter enforcement of European methane regulations and a greater push to phase out fossil fuels.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvXsx2Kgwhg – This video provides a summary of the IEA’s 2026 report on methane emissions, highlighting the top 10 methane-emitting countries and discussing the potential for emissions to decline in 2024. It emphasizes the importance of reducing methane emissions to limit global warming and the need for substantial reductions by 2030.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article references the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker 2026, published on 4 May 2026, indicating recent and original content. ([iea.org](https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2026?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut and Britain’s Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband. While these quotes are attributed, their earliest known usage cannot be independently verified, raising concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The article is published by Al Jazeera, a major news organisation, enhancing its credibility. However, the reliance on a single source for the quotes and some data points may limit the overall reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about methane emissions and their impact on climate change and energy security are consistent with known scientific understanding. However, the article’s reliance on a single source for some data points and quotes raises questions about the comprehensiveness of the information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents recent information on methane emissions and their impact on climate change and energy security, referencing the IEA’s Global Methane Tracker 2026. However, concerns about the unverifiable quotes and limited independent verification from other reputable sources suggest a medium level of confidence in the content’s accuracy and reliability. Editors should exercise caution and consider seeking additional verification before publication.
