News: The Global Methane Status Report was released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem.
About Global Methane Status Report 2025
- The report provides updates on global progress on methane mitigation and the remaining work needed to achieve the Global Methane Pledge, as well as the potential for further ambition.
- Released by: It is released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
- Finding of the report related to India:
- India as a Hotspot: India has emerged as a global hotspot for methane emissions due to crop-residue (stubble) burning.
- Global Rank: India is the world’s third-largest methane emitter after China and the United States.
- India is responsible for nearly 9% of global methane emissions.
- Major Sources: India’s main methane sources are livestock (enteric fermentation and manure) and rice cultivation.
- Crop-residue burning is becoming a major and fast-growing methane hotspot in India.
- Waste Management Issues: India faces waste-management challenges that significantly increase methane emissions.
- Methane emissions from waste burning in India rose from 4.5 Mt in 1995 to 7.4 Mt in 2020 – a 64% increase.
- Agriculture Emissions (2020): India generated about 20 Mt of methane from agriculture in 2020, representing 12% of global agricultural methane emissions, one of the highest shares worldwide.
- Methane emissions from rice cultivation in India are projected to rise by 8% between 2020 and 2030.
- Energy Sector Emissions (2020): India produced around 4.5 Mt of methane from the energy sector in 2020.
- Loopholes: India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) do not outline actions to reduce methane from agriculture.
- India’s national statement at COP30 made no mention of methane, despite rising emissions.
- Suggestions: Experts emphasize that controlling stubble burning would reduce methane and harmful particulate pollution simultaneously.
- Experts call for a focused programme across affected states to address both climate and air-pollution impacts.
- Findings in the Global Context
- Global Methane Levels: Global methane emissions currently total about 360 million tonnes per year.
- G20 Contribution: The G20 group, including India, is responsible for about 65% of global methane emissions.
- Global Waste Burning Trend: Global methane emissions from waste burning increased from 56 Mt in 1995 to 80 Mt in 2020 – a 43% rise.
- Future Outlook: Despite rising methane levels, the report suggests emissions could start to decline by 2030 with strong action.
- Reducing methane is highlighted as one of the most immediate and effective steps to slow the climate crisis.
- The report also identifies 11 active global programmes aimed at reducing methane emissions.
- Cutting methane emissions also helps reduce crop losses, supporting agricultural productivity and food security.
