Pledge to slash planet-warming methane
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Countries joining the Global Methane Pledge commit to a collective goal of reducing worldwide emissions of the potent greenhouse gas by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030
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ANNUAL GLOBAL METHANE EMISSIONS: Million tonnes (estimate)

 
HUMAN ACTIVITIES 358 (61%)

Agriculture 145 
Energy – coal, oil, natural gas and biofuels  129
Waste 68
Biomass burning: 16 
NATURAL SOURCES 233 (39%)
Wetlands 194
Other natural sources: 39
Total 591

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GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY GAS
Measured as CO2-equivalents (2018)


17% 74% carbon dioxide (CO2) Nitrous oxide: 6.5%
          
Methane: More than 25 times as potent as CO2 at trapping Fluorinated heat but breaks down faster in atmosphere – so cutting gases: 2.5% methane emissions can have rapid impact on global warming
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TOP FIVE METHANE EMITTERS
Million tonnes of CO2-equivalent
(2018)

418 Brazil
623 U.S.
669 India
853 Russia
1,239 China

Global Methane Pledge
 
More than 100 countries have joined U.S.- and EU-led effort, including Brazil. China, Russia and India have yet to sign pledge
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Sources: Climate Watch, IEA, Reuters Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS