Methane emissions remain stubbornly high worldwide, with little evidence that global levels are declining despite growing recognition of their role in accelerating climate change. According to the International Energy Agency’s latest assessment, a significant gap exists between the creation of methane-related policies and their effective implementation. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, causing approximately 80 times more warming than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. As a result, reducing methane emissions is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most effective ways to slow global warming in the near term.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that failing to control methane could trigger dangerous climate feedback loops. Rising temperatures may release vast stores of methane trapped beneath melting ice sheets and permafrost, creating additional warming that becomes increasingly difficult to reverse. This makes strong methane policy measures particularly important for meeting global climate goals.
Research conducted through Oxford University’s Climate Policy Monitor supports the International Energy Agency’s findings. The Climate Policy Monitor analyzed climate regulations across 37 jurisdictions, including 36 countries and California. Researchers identified more than 100 methane-related policies in 32 jurisdictions, but fewer than one-third were legally mandatory. Several major emitters, including India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Tanzania, had no identifiable methane regulations at all. This is especially concerning because India and Indonesia together account for more than 12% of global methane emissions.
Although interest in methane regulation is increasing, with roughly one-fifth of identified policies introduced during 2024 and 2025, implementation remains weak. More than two-thirds of existing policies showed little evidence of enforcement, monitoring, or penalties for non-compliance. This suggests that many governments are adopting methane policy frameworks without ensuring they deliver measurable emissions reductions.
The fossil fuel sector remains the primary focus of methane regulation. Methane can be released through oil extraction, gas leaks, and flaring activities. However, even within this relatively regulated industry, many policies lack requirements for public reporting, independent verification, and standardized measurement methods. Japan stands out as a notable exception. Its Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures requires facility-level emissions reporting and third-party verification. Between 1990 and 2022, Japan reduced its methane emissions by approximately 40%, demonstrating how comprehensive methane policy combined with strong enforcement can produce meaningful results.
Coal methane remains another major policy gap. Less than half of the jurisdictions examined had regulations addressing methane released during active coal mining or from abandoned mines. This is particularly important in countries phasing out coal, where methane emissions can continue long after mining operations cease.
Agriculture represents the largest human source of methane emissions, accounting for roughly 40% of the global total, primarily from livestock production. Despite this, agricultural methane remains largely overlooked. Fewer than half of the identified methane policies specifically targeted agriculture, and only about 20% of agricultural policies were mandatory. Several major jurisdictions, including the European Union, France, and Poland, lacked dedicated agricultural methane regulations altogether. This imbalance indicates that governments continue to prioritize energy-sector emissions while giving less attention to one of the largest sources of methane pollution.
The Climate Policy Monitor also identified signs of policy backsliding, particularly in the United States. In 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delayed certain methane regulations affecting oil and gas facilities. At the same time, pressure has been placed on the European Union to weaken methane-related requirements for energy imports.
Despite these challenges, there are encouraging developments. More than half of recently introduced methane regulations originated in African and Latin American countries, demonstrating growing engagement from developing economies. While current progress remains insufficient, stronger enforcement, broader sector coverage, and more ambitious methane policy initiatives could still play a crucial role in reducing emissions and slowing climate change.
https://theconversation.com/how-methane-policy-will-make-or-break-the-climate-crisis-281920