Climate policy & technology
Methane Mitigation
The set of technologies, practices and policies that reduce methane emissions across the energy, agriculture and waste sectors — the fastest way to slow near-term warming.
Definition
Methane mitigation covers measures that prevent, capture or destroy methane emissions: leak detection and repair in oil and gas, methane capture from coal mines and landfills (for use or flaring), anaerobic digestion of manure and organic waste, feed additives and improved livestock practices, alternate wetting and drying in rice, and waste diversion. Proven technologies could cut sectoral emissions by about 45% by 2030, much of it at negative or low cost.
References
COP26 launch, 159 countries, 30% by 2030 target, 0.2°C benefit
sector sources, 45% technical abatement potential
Overview
What it means
Mitigation is organised through instruments such as the Global Methane Pledge — launched at COP26 in 2021, now counting 159 participating countries plus the European Commission — under which countries commit to a collective 30% cut from 2020 levels by 2030, supported by national methane action plans, satellite monitoring and abatement finance.
How it is used
Companies adopt measurement frameworks (OGMP 2. 0) and LDAR programmes; governments regulate performance standards, waste emissions charges and landfill gas capture; finance flows target abatement projects.
Why it matters
Delivering the Pledge could avoid at least 0. 2°C of warming by 2050 while preventing premature deaths and crop losses — methane mitigation is the strongest single complement to CO2 decarbonisation this decade. **Note:** In-batch merge: 1737 "Methane capture" → this entry.
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