The International Energy Agency says methane abatement could make about 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas available each year, including nearly 15 billion cubic metres in the near term. The agency says fossil-fuel methane emissions remained elevated in 2025 and that the Middle East crisis is highlighting the energy-security benefits of cutting leaks and flaring.
The International Energy Agency says methane abatement could bring substantial additional gas volumes to market at a time when energy security is back in focus.
In its Global Methane Tracker 2026, published on May 4, the IEA said fossil-fuel methane emissions showed no sign of declining in 2025 and remained near record highs. The agency said existing technology could abate around 70% of those emissions.
According to the report, cutting methane and flaring could make about 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas available annually. The IEA also said nearly 15 billion cubic metres could be freed up in the near term if select countries act quickly.
The report ties the issue to the current Middle East crisis, saying the situation underlines the energy-security value of reducing methane waste. It was launched at a high-level methane action event convened by France’s G7 presidency in Paris.
The report is an argument for faster action on a problem that is both environmental and commercial: methane leaks represent lost product as well as emissions. The next step is whether governments or energy companies use the report to announce fresh commitments or faster implementation.
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