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US methane emissions continue to rise despite global reduction pledges
New research reveals U.S. methane emissions from fossil fuel production are increasing, despite its leading role in a global effort to cut emissions.
In short:
- Methane levels in the atmosphere are now over 2.5 times preindustrial levels, primarily from fossil fuel production.
- The U.S. signed the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, but emissions continue to rise as fossil fuel production surges.
- China, the world's largest emitter of methane and carbon dioxide, has not signed the pledge.
Key quote:
“Many of the fixes are within reach. Leak detection and repair, management of abandoned facilities, they aren’t impossible. In fact, many of them can be done at almost no cost.”
— Jutta Paulus, European Parliament member
Why this matters:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with effects 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide. As global temperatures rise, unchecked methane emissions from growing fossil fuel production are accelerating climate change, impacting global efforts to meet climate goals.
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Toronto company plans $1.35 billion biofuel facility in Louisiana
A Toronto-based energy company announced plans to build a biofuel plant in Louisiana using wood and garbage, but critics question its sustainability.
In short:
- Woodland Biofuels plans to use industrial wood scraps and waste to produce biofuels at a $1.35 billion facility in St. John the Baptist Parish.
- The project could create 110 jobs with an average salary of $90,000, supported by $10 million in state grants and tax incentives.
- Critics argue burning biomass for energy worsens deforestation, emits pollutants, and slows the shift to cleaner energy sources.
Key quote:
"Carbon dioxide emissions from burning wood are actually higher than burning coal."
— 2018 Environmental Research Letters study
Why this matters:
While biofuels offer a potential renewable energy source, the environmental cost of burning biomass raises concerns about pollution, deforestation, and whether this approach truly moves society toward cleaner energy.
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Saskatchewan faces high methane leakage but could get exemptions from new rules
One-fifth of methane from Saskatchewan's oil and gas production escapes into the atmosphere, yet the province could be exempt from stricter federal methane capture regulations due to a potential equivalency agreement.
In short:
- Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry loses 19% of its methane, compared to lower rates in Alberta and British Columbia.
- Despite this, the federal government is considering allowing Saskatchewan to self-regulate under rules similar to national standards.
- Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its reduction is a key goal in Canada's plan to cut emissions by 2030.
Key quote:
“It’s important for Alberta and Saskatchewan to keep moving on methane, because Alberta is the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in Canada, and Saskatchewan has this enormous methane loss rate, as shown by this study.”
— Amanda Bryant, a senior analyst with the Pembina Institute’s oil and gas program
Why this matters:
Methane is a powerful contributor to climate change, and the high leakage rate in Saskatchewan poses a serious environmental challenge. Reducing methane emissions is critical to slowing global warming and avoiding more severe climate impacts.
Related:
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Car travel now exceeds pre-pandemic levels in most US cities
A recent report shows that vehicle miles traveled in the US have risen 12% since 2019, with New York City’s urban core seeing the largest increase.
In short:
- Driving in most US metropolitan areas is higher than before the pandemic, with a 12% increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from 2019 to 2024.
- NYC saw a 14.7% rise in daily VMT per capita, the highest of any major city center, while Los Angeles saw a 17% decline.
- Remote work and population shifts may be contributing to changes in driving patterns.
Key quote:
“Congestion is pretty stubborn.”
— Emily Adler, director of content at StreetLight Data.
Why this matters:
Increased driving worsens pollution and traffic congestion, both of which complicate efforts to meet climate and public health goals. Policymakers must address infrastructure and urban planning to curb these trends.
Read more:
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Climate-friendly eating is already happening, one farm at a time
Ecologist Mark Easter’s new book, The Blue Plate, shows how small shifts in farming and food consumption can help curb climate change by reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint.
In short:
- Easter breaks down the environmental impact of common U.S. foods, from bread to meat, showing how emissions are tied to every step of the food chain.
- The book highlights small-scale agricultural innovations across the U.S. that reduce emissions, arguing these changes can be scaled up.
- Easter draws on personal history, linking today’s climate challenges to practices like those from his great-grandmother’s time during the Dust Bowl.
Key quote:
“We’re basically trying to tally the flow of carbon and nitrogen back and forth between the Earth and the atmosphere... Do we have too much flowing in the wrong directions?”
— Mark Easter, ecologist and author.
Why this matters:
The way we produce and consume food plays a key role in climate change. By adopting sustainable farming methods, even small shifts can help restore soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat global warming.
Learn more:
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Judge halts methane regulation in five states over states' rights dispute
The Biden administration’s new methane rule was blocked by a federal judge in North Dakota, who ruled that it infringes on state authority in five states.
In short:
- A judge halted a rule by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) targeting methane flaring in North Dakota, Texas, Utah, Montana and Wyoming.
- The states argued the rule overlapped with existing federal and state laws and would harm local industries.
- The ruling noted the states were likely to win the case and that the BLM lacked authority to regulate in this area.
Key quote:
“BLM haphazardly adds more stringent flaring restrictions and bureaucratic hoops the states have to jump through.”
— Judge Daniel Traynor
Why this matters:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and stricter controls on emissions are key to addressing climate change. However, the ruling reflects ongoing tensions between federal and state regulations, particularly in energy-rich regions.
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Food waste and agriculture are major drivers of methane emissions
Researchers have found that human activities, especially food production and waste, are responsible for two-thirds of global methane emissions, offering a chance for intervention.
In short:
- Global methane emissions have risen rapidly, with agriculture and waste contributing nearly twice as much as fossil fuel production.
- Livestock farming, particularly cattle and sheep, is the largest agricultural source of methane, with dietary changes and innovations like seaweed feed additives as potential solutions.
- Managing food waste better, such as through composting, can also significantly reduce methane emissions.
Key quote:
Reducing methane "is also seen as a possible way to buy time.”
— Peter Raymond, professor of ecosystem ecology at the Yale School of the Environment
Why this matters:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat much more effectively than CO2, though it has a shorter lifespan. Reducing methane emissions can provide a faster impact in slowing global warming, making it a key target for climate action.
Learn more: How the world wastes an astonishing amount of food, in three charts
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