While major methane emitters like the US and China have made strides in cutting emissions, a University of Maryland study reveals alarming policy gaps in other top-producing countries, especially in agriculture
A recent study by the University of Maryland’s Centre for Global Sustainability (CGS) has uncovered significant gaps in policies aimed at reducing methane emissions among the world’s largest emitters. Despite the pressing need to address methane, the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide, many major producers lack concrete national plans to curb emissions.
The report, conducted in collaboration with the Energy Foundation China, examined 276 policies from 15 nations responsible for approximately 39 percent of global methane emissions. It found that while countries such as the United States and China have made commendable efforts to reduce emissions, many others, including Argentina, India, and Russia, have not yet implemented sufficient measures to address the issue.
Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, primarily comes from fossil fuels, agriculture, and waste. The agriculture sector alone accounts for 47 percent of methane emissions globally, yet only 19 percent of policies in these key nations focus on reducing emissions from agricultural activities. Notably, Argentina, Mexico, and Indonesia lack any specific policies targeting methane emissions from agriculture, while India, Russia, and Iran have only minimal regulations in this area.
In contrast, nations like Brazil, Australia, Canada, and the European Union have developed robust policies for managing methane emissions from livestock. However, mitigation efforts for rice cultivation, particularly in major rice-producing countries like India and Indonesia, remain underdeveloped.
The report also highlighted that while many countries focus on methane emissions from the energy sector, their policies often prioritise safety and resource conservation rather than climate mitigation. Canada and Mexico, for example, have yet to introduce specific policies addressing methane emissions from abandoned coal mines.
Some nations have made progress in regulating methane from other sources. Indonesia and the United Kingdom, for instance, have implemented policies to reduce emissions from landfills. However, efforts to address methane emissions from wastewater remain inadequate in many regions.
The report emphasises the need for enhanced monitoring, reporting, and verification systems to ensure accurate data on methane emissions, particularly in developing countries. It also suggests that adopting market-based solutions, such as taxes and carbon markets, could provide financial incentives for emission reductions.
As the world seeks to limit global temperature rise and achieve net-zero emissions, addressing methane output is a critical step in global climate action, and greater efforts are needed to close the existing policy gaps.