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IEA: Cut 70% Fossil Methane, Recover 200 BCM Gas

5/5/2026

Summary

IEA Flags Emissions

The International Energy Agency released its Methane Tracker 2026, noting emissions near record highs in 2025.
About 70 % of fossil-fuel methane, roughly 85 million tonnes, can be cut with existing technology.
Over 35 million tonnes could be avoided at no net cost because captured gas offsets investment.
Plugging leaks and ending flaring could restore nearly 200 billion cubic metres of gas each year, double the loss from the Strait of Hormuz closure.

Summary

France Accelerates

France, the rotating G7 chair, convened officials and leaders to accelerate methane cuts before COP31.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged leak reduction, saying it could replace gas lost from the Middle East war.
EU commissioner Dan Jorgensen said preventing leaks would boost gas supply, linking methane abatement to energy security.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced its satellite-based methane detection will now cover coal mines and waste facilities.

Summary

Stop Methane Detects

Stop Methane Project detected a Texas mega-leak in 2025 emitting 5.5 tonnes of methane per hour.
Turkmenistan led the global mega-leak list, with Türkmengaz head Muhammetberdi Byashiev saying repairs take two to three days and satellite data in October 2025 showing leaks persisted despite reduction claims.
Landfill plumes were identified in Turkey, Algeria, Malaysia and the United States, with a March 2026 Guardian article amplifying public awareness of these hotspots.

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IEA Flags Emissions

The International Energy Agency released its Methane Tracker 2026, noting emissions near record highs in 2025.
About 70 % of fossil-fuel methane, roughly 85 million tonnes, can be cut with existing technology.
Over 35 million tonnes could be avoided at no net cost because captured gas offsets investment.
Plugging leaks and ending flaring could restore nearly 200 billion cubic metres of gas each year, double the loss from the Strait of Hormuz closure.

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