Methane emissions related to the production and transport of fossil fuels and bioenergy increased again last year. They reach 135 million tonnes, or 40% of emissions of this gas linked to human activity. Yet these industries had promised to considerably limit these leaks and these releases of methane, the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide.
The AIE regrets that, despite their enormous profits, companies in the sector do not make enough financial efforts in this perspective. Existing technologies could, however, make it possible to reduce these emissions by 75% by 2030. According to the Agency’s calculations, to achieve this objective, it would be necessary to invest 100 billion dollars in the means of capture. This represents less than 3% of the revenue generated by oil and gas companies worldwide last year.
Furthermore, the AIE emphasizes that the fight against waste and leaks is economically profitable. 260 billion cubic meters of natural gas are in fact wasted today in the world, due to flaring and methane leaks. The volume that would be recovered, recycled and put on the market is greater than the imports of Russian gas by the European Union before the invasion of Ukraine.
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