The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published the annual report of its International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). The report finds that data-driven solutions are available to rapidly target action on methane – the second biggest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide (CO2). It calls for accelerating progress across governments and companies to achieve the Global Methane Pledge goal of reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG) with 80 times the global warming potential (GWP) of CO2 over a 20-year period.

Titled, ‘An Eye on Methane 2025: From Measurement to Momentum,’ the report notes that anthropogenic methane emissions are responsible for around one-third of the current warming. It argues that reducing these emissions is the fastest and most cost-effective way to slow global warming in the near term, while buying time for long-term decarbonization efforts.

Currently in its fifth edition, the report “takes stock of progress on harnessing a methane data revolution that can accelerate methane reductions at a global scale.” It finds that methane emissions measurement and reporting by the oil and gas industry through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 is making big strides, with membership having more than doubled to 153 companies in 90 countries, responsible for 42% of global oil and gas production.

The report also reveals an increased response rate to alerts about major emission events, sent by UNEP through its Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), launched in 2022. While company responses to super-emitter alerts grew more than tenfold, the response rate is currently only 12%.

The report outlines efforts undertaken by IMEO to build the science foundation for targeted mitigation, provide data and training to increase action, and enable rapid mitigation across the steel supply chain through its Steel Methane Programme (SMP) targeting emissions from metallurgical coal.

The report was released on 22 October 2025, in advance of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) in November and the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in December. [Publication: An Eye on Methane 2025: From Measurement to Momentum] [Key Messages] [Executive Summary] [Publication Landing Page] [UNEP Press Release] [UN News Story] [Global Methane Pledge]