International Energy Agency (IEA) released annual Global Methane Tracker 2024

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Key findings
- Methane Emissions (ME) from energy sector remained near a record high in 2023.
  - Production and use of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) accounted for nearly 120 million tonnes (Mt) and bioenergy accounted for 10 Mt of ME.
- Around 70% i.e. 80 Mt of ME from fossil fuels comes from top 10 emitting countries.
  - United States is largest emitter of methane from oil and gas operations, followed by Russia. China is highest emitter in coal sector.
- Around US $170 Billon is required by 2030to achieve a 75% cut in ME.
- Methane (CH₄) is an Odorless, Colorless, and Flammable gas. It is a greenhouse gas.
- It is a second most contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide and primary contributor to formation of ground-level ozone.

Initiatives to control Methane emission
- Global
  - International Methane Emissions Observatory by UNEP to provide reliable data to reduce ME.
  - Global Methane Pledge launched at COP26 (2021) to cut ME by 30% by 2030.
  - Global Methane Initiative focused on use of methane as a valuable energy source.
- India
  - GobarDhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) scheme.
  - National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme.

International Energy Agency (IEA)

Created in 1974 to help co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply.
Consists of 31 member countries, 13 Association countries, and 5 accession countries.