Global Methane Pledge Newsletter - February 2025
We are pleased to share with you the latest news from the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) community, as well as information on opportunities for engagement and support.
Highlights
CCAC NDC Watch: Latest on Non-CO₂ Pollutants in National Climate Plans
In February 2025, eleven countries submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), showcasing a growing commitment to addressing non-CO₂ pollutants. Notably, Canada has pledged a 35% reduction in methane emissions across all sectors by 2030, with a 75% decrease in the oil and gas sector compared to 2012 levels. New Zealand aims for a 51-55% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2035 from 2005 levels, aligning with its long-term goal to cut 'biogenic' methane emissions by 24-47% from 2017 levels by 2050. Zimbabwe committed to a 40% greenhouse gas reduction and a 35% methane cut in the waste sector, while Lesotho aims for a 29% emissions cut in energy by promoting cleaner cooking fuels. These updated NDCs highlight sector-specific strategies and co-benefits, integrating air quality improvements and public health considerations into national climate policies.
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Upcoming events
Climate & Clean Air Conference 2025, 16–21 March, Brazil
The Climate and Clean Air Conference 2025 is set to take place from March 16–21, 2025, in Brasília, Brazil.
This year’s theme, “Accelerating Action on Super Pollutants: The Road to COP30,” highlights the urgent need for decisive action. This year, our focus will be on advancing NDCs 3.0 commitments as investment plans, convening a Science-Policy Dialogue on Super Pollutants, and exploring gender equity as a catalyst for climate action. We will also examine sectoral policies that drive emissions reductions. By sharing real-world experiences and demonstrating leadership—whether as GMP and Clean Air champion countries or by leading sectoral or regional initiatives—we aim to deliver a powerful message at COP30.
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20th session of the Group of Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition 24-25 March, Geneva
The 20th session of the Group on Experts on Coal Mine Methane and Just Transition (CMMJT-20), will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 24 to 25 March 2025 in the framework of UNECE Resource Management Week 2025. This event offers a unique platform for exchanging innovative ideas, sharing best practices, and exploring collaborative solutions to reduce and manage methane emissions from coal mines. It also provides a platform to advance the development of a just energy transition approach in the ECE region, laying the foundation for resilient, carbon-neutral energy systems.
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WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, 25-27 March, Colombia
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) will actively participate in the WHO Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, contributing to discussions on solutions for reducing air pollution, improving public health, and mitigating climate change. CCAC will host sessions addressing air quality management, super pollutants, and the Africa Clean Air Programme
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News and Updates
United Kingdom Elected as Co-Chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, Highlighting Ambitious Agenda to Tackle Super Pollutants
Country partners of the CCAC have elected the United Kingdom as the incoming Co-Chair of the Coalition, joining fellow Co-Chair Brazil to lead the fight against super pollutants that drive climate change and air pollution.
Copernicus: Tool to routinely identify and track methane emissions and leaks goes operational
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on behalf of the European Commission with funding from the EU, has launched its Methane Hotspot Explorer app. This is a new CAMS tool to monitor and visualise the location of methane (CH4) plumes close to real-time and identifying their potential main source.
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FAO welcomes UN Biodiversity COP16.2, highlights agrifood systems as key to achieving global biodiversity goals
As COP16.2 convenes in Rome, the FAO calls for bold action to align agrifood systems with global biodiversity goals. Minister Carvajalino stressed the urgency of aligning agriculture and environmental strategies, with Colombia and FAO working on sustainable food systems to end hunger.
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Webinar: Enhancing NDCs by Integrating Waste Methane: Strategies and Opportunities for Support in Latin America and the Caribbean
Nine countries in Latin American and Caribbean region—Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Trinadad and Tobago, Nicaragua—have signed the Reducing Methane from Organic Waste Declaration at COP29.
In their updated national climate plans, these countries are prioritizing Avoidance, Diversion, Valorization, and Infrastructure, along with accelerated dumpsite closures, enabling policies, capacity building (including via the LOW-Methane initiative), and innovative financing for sustainable organic waste management.
UNEP’s OGMP 2.0 Annual Conference Takes Place in Rio de Janeiro
The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, UNEP’s flagship oil and gas reporting and mitigation programme, held its annual implementation conference from February 4 to 6 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The conference highlighted continued growth in OGMP 2.0 membership, which now includes 152 companies covering more than 42% of the world's oil and gas production. Beyond the climate opportunity, companies increasingly recognize that methane mitigation brings commercial, safety and reputational benefits.
This year’s conference marked a critical moment as the first cohort of member companies reach the highest level of OGMP 2.0 reporting. By shifting the industry from generic emissions factors to empirical measurement, OGMP 2.0 is enabling companies to identify the most effective opportunities to reduce emissions and credibly track progress.
Learn more about OGMP 2.0 here.
Collaboration Builds Capacity for Methane Action in Libya
In February, UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory held a workshop designed to equip employees of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and implement strategic methane reporting and mitigation measures.
In collaboration with UNDP and with support from the European Commission, IMEO and international partners delivered tailored content to strengthen participants' capacity for methane emissions mitigation and lay the foundation for a robust and permanent data collection system in accordance with rigorous Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 requirements. The training reinforced the value of engaging with data-driven tools offered by UNEP’s IMEO, including its Methane Alert and Response System and OGMP 2.0.
Methane Media Digest
Published by SciTechDaily, February 3
Article from a popular US-based science website, highlighting research done by scientists to develop a new rice strain that emits 70% less methane. The article explains that by identifying key compounds in rice root exudates, scientists were able to breed a non-GMO, high-yield variety of rice with a lower environmental impact, confirmed by field tests in China. Researchers are not looking at ways to scale up the solution and get it on the market.
Published by BBC, February 4
Article from the UK public broadcaster, with a deep-dive on how black soldier flies (BSF) technology can transform food waste into nutrient-rich biofertilizer, frass. The piece explores how companies are looking to expand BSF usage, and explains how unlike chemical fertilizers, frass promotes increased biodiversity.
Published by CBS News, February 6
Article from leading US-based online publication, citing research being done in the UK to split methane molecules into gas component parts – hydrogen and carbon – and capture them. The article explains that the carbon from the broken-down methane can create graphene, which is often touted as the strongest material in the world with many real-world applications, including adding it to tire treads, extending battery life in electric vehicles, and partially replacing petroleum-derived materials in plastic products.
Reducing air pollution could increase methane emissions from wetlands – here’s what needs to be done
Published by The Conversation, February 6
Joint article from academics representing Peking University and the University of Birmingham, describing findings that well-meaning policies that reduce sulphur may increase natural emissions of methane in wetlands. The article explains that reducing acid rain and fine particles, coupled with direct effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 and warming could result in increased natural emissions due to sulphur “providing the conditions for one set of bacteria to outmuscle another set of microbes that produce methane over limited available food in wetlands”.
Published by the Guardian, February 11
Article from a leading UK publication highlighting concerns from the scientific community related to misinformation on a cattle feed additive, Bovaer, that is proven to reduce emissions in the livestock sector. Scientists in the article refer to misinformation as a “wake-up” call for the industry and stressed the need for more clear and direct communication with members of the public.
Published by El Pais, February 12
Article from a leading Spanish daily newspaper, highlighting a discovery from a Spanish scientific expedition in Antarctica showing columns of methane emerging from the seabed. The team of scientists observed columns approximately 700 meters long and 70 meters wide, suggesting that the gas is bubbling up from the subsoil along faults, often through mud volcanoes hundreds of meters above the seabed.
