The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels
The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) builds on findings from the IEA’s recently updated pathway to limit global warming to 1.5 °C to show that while a drop in fossil fuel demand would cut methane emissions, these reductions by themselves would not occur fast enough to meet the world’s climate goals.
Additional targeted actions to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use – such as by eliminating routine venting and flaring and repairing leaks – are essential to limit warming to 1.5 °C and reduce the risk of crossing irreversible climate tipping points. According to the report, decisive, far-reaching efforts to cut methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use must go hand-in-hand with the decarbonisation of our energy systems to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.
