Methane

Recent satellite data analysed by Carbon Mapper revealed that 15 of the world’s top 25 methane emission sites in 2025 from the oil and gas sector are located in Turkmenistan. This highlights the global significance of methane emissions and the urgent need to address them in climate action strategies.

About Methane

• Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for roughly 30% of global temperature rise since the Industrial Revolution.

• Its atmospheric concentration is 2.5 times higher than preindustrial levels and is increasing faster than other greenhouse gases.

• It is the primary component of natural gas and also a byproduct of fossil fuel exploration.

Global Warming Potential:

• Methane is 86 times more efficient than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 20-year period.

• While its atmospheric lifetime is shorter (~12 years) than CO₂, it is a major driver of short-term climate change, contributing 28 times more to global warming per tonne than CO₂.

Major Sources of Methane

The three main anthropogenic sources are:

1. Agriculture: Enteric fermentation in livestock and rice paddies

2. Energy Sector: Oil, gas, and coal extraction

3. Waste Sector: Landfills and wastewater treatment

Methane Characteristics

• Colourless, odourless, and highly flammable, also called marsh gas.

• Traps heat more efficiently in the short term, making it a critical target for near-term climate mitigation.

Significance

• Reducing methane emissions can slow near-term warming, providing time to transition to long-term CO₂ reduction strategies.

• Targeting high-emission sites, such as those in Turkmenistan, is crucial for global climate action.