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Methane Cuts Urgently Needed to Avert Climate Catastrophe
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- World likely to exceed Paris Agreement's 1.5C warming limit soon.
- Cutting methane offers fastest way to slow near-term warming.
- Binding methane agreement for oil and gas sector is urgently needed.
As the planet approaches irreversible climate tipping points, the urgent need to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is highlighted. Global average temperatures are projected to exceed the 1.5C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, with 2025 expected to be one of the warmest years on record. This accelerating crisis necessitates immediate action beyond voluntary pledges.
Reducing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, presents the most effective strategy for slowing near-term warming. Experts suggest that eliminating easily avoidable methane emissions, particularly from the energy sector, could prevent significant warming by the 2040s. Coupled with increased renewable energy and energy efficiency, this could significantly slow the rate of global warming.
Calls are growing for a legally binding international agreement on methane emissions, drawing inspiration from the success of the Montreal Protocol. Such a treaty would ensure accountability and drive reductions, providing crucial time to develop and scale up other decarbonizing technologies while preventing energy waste.
