Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of drastically reducing methane emissions to limit global warming during London Climate Action Week. He described methane as a "super super-pollutant" responsible for nearly a third of current global warming, noting that unlike carbon dioxide, methane breaks down within a decade or two. Reducing methane emissions is seen as the fastest way to slow planetary warming, according to the Secretary-General.
He highlighted that about 70 percent of methane emissions from the oil and gas industry could be eliminated with existing technologies at low or no net cost. With satellite technology now enabling real-time tracking of methane pollution, detection and mitigation capabilities are enhanced. Guterres outlined three key actions: detecting and fixing leaks, eliminating routine flaring and venting, and adopting measurable and verifiable methane emissions reporting with global science-based standards.
The UN chief referred to countries such as Norway as examples, suggesting that if all producers matched such standards, methane emissions from oil and gas could be reduced by 90 percent. He asserted that global efforts must move beyond voluntary action, citing past successes in addressing ozone layer depletion and phasing out leaded petrol.
He noted that more than 70 percent of methane reduction potential is concentrated within the G20 and primarily in the fossil fuel sector, making it a critical focus. The Secretary-General also said developing countries need financial resources, technology transfer, and capacity building to accelerate methane reduction in agriculture, waste, and fossil fuel sectors. He called the methane reduction target a "test of climate solidarity" and pledged UN support to countries ready to act.