February 11, 2026 | Environment
In a landmark development for climate action, 85 countries representing over 60% of global methane emissions have formally committed to the Global Methane Pledge's ambitious goal of reducing methane emissions by 70% by 2030. This agreement, initially launched at COP26 in 2021, has gained significant momentum ahead of the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
The commitment includes major emitters like the United States, European Union members, Canada, Japan, and several developing nations, marking a significant expansion from the original 103 signatories. Notably, India and China—previously absent from the pledge—have both indicated intentions to join, potentially increasing the total coverage to 75% of global methane emissions (Source: UNFCCC: Methane Pledge).
"Methane is responsible for about 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times," said Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. "Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest ways we can slow the rate of warming over the next 25 years" (Source: IEA: Methane Outlook).
The pledge focuses on three key sectors:
- Energy: Reducing methane leaks from oil and gas operations through improved detection and repair technologies (Source: Global Methane Initiative)
- Agriculture: Implementing best practices in livestock management and rice cultivation while supporting sustainable farming innovations (Source: FAO: Agricultural Methane)
- Waste: Capturing methane from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities for energy production (Source: EPA: Landfill Methane)
Recent technological advances are making these reductions more feasible than previously thought. Satellite monitoring technology has improved dramatically, enabling real-time detection of methane leaks from space. Companies like GHGSat and Kayrros are now providing high-resolution methane monitoring services to governments and corporations (Source: Satellite Today).
Several major corporations have also aligned their strategies with the pledge. ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP have committed to reducing methane intensity in their operations to near-zero by 2030, while agricultural giants like Cargill and Tyson Foods have implemented methane reduction programs across their supply chains (Source: Corporate Climate Pledge).
The economic benefits are becoming increasingly clear. The International Energy Agency estimates that implementing cost-effective methane abatement measures could generate $300 billion in net benefits by 2050 through reduced climate damages and energy sales from captured methane (Source: IEA: Methane Outlook).
Financing mechanisms are also expanding to support methane reduction projects in developing countries. The World Bank's new $5 billion Methane Reduction Fund has already committed funding to projects in Indonesia, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, helping these nations leapfrog to cleaner technologies (Source: World Bank: Methane Fund).
UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell welcomed the developments: "The methane pledge movement shows that ambitious climate action can be both effective and economically beneficial. With the right policies and technologies, we can make significant progress toward keeping 1.5°C within reach" (Source: UNFCCC: Press Release).
The next phase will focus on implementation and verification. A new Global Methane Observatory, launched in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, will provide independent monitoring and reporting of progress toward pledge goals (Source: UNEP: Methane Observatory).
References
- UNFCCC: Global Methane Pledge
- IEA: Methane Emissions Outlook 2026
- FAO: Agricultural Methane Reduction
- EPA: Landfill Methane Outreach
- Global Methane Initiative: Energy Sector
- Satellite Today: Methane Monitoring Technologies
- Corporate Climate Pledge: Methane Reduction
- World Bank: Methane Reduction Fund
- UNFCCC: Global Methane Pledge Momentum
- UNEP: Global Methane Observatory
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