Cutting methane pollution to slow climate change
The problem: Methane pollution released this year will warm the planet more in the next decade than carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels. While cutting methane is the single fastest way to slow the rate of global warming, current efforts fall far short of the drastic reductions we need.
What we’re doing about it: Through research and advocacy, we’ve been driving global action to cut methane pollution for over a decade, and we built a methane-tracking satellite to help scale reductions worldwide. Our goal is to reduce global methane emissions from the energy and agricultural sectors by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Methane pollution by the numbers
-
0x
How much more potent methane is than carbon dioxide in the near term
-
$0.0B
Cost of wasted gas emitted by U.S. oil and gas companies per year, enough to fuel 10 million homes in the U.S.
-
0%
Amount of methane reductions the oil and gas industry can achieve globally using technologies available today, two-thirds of it at no net cost
Our work slashing global methane emissions
- Video
TED Talk explains how cutting methane can slow warming
- Project
Slow global warming fast with MethaneSAT
- Article
EDF study: The fastest way to save melting sea ice
- Video
Cutting methane doesn’t just slow warming — it improves health
- Timeline
Our groundbreaking push to cut methane on 3 critical fronts
- Initiative
Global food companies join EDF for a groundbreaking step on dairy methane
Updates
Read the latest articles, blogs and press releases on methane.
-
Health, Environmental, Community Groups Move to Defend EPA Oil and Gas Methane Standards in Court
Press release, -
EDF Will Defend Oil and Gas Methane Protections Now Facing Court Challenge
Press release, -
MethaneSAT Now in Orbit after SpaceX Launches Groundbreaking Mission to Protect the Climate
Press release, -
MethaneSAT: What Investors Need to Know
Blog post, -
Nature News: This methane-sniffing satellite will leave climate polluters nowhere to hide
Article, -
The New York Times explores MethaneSAT in 3D on the eve of launch
Article,
Methane pollution resources
Dig deeper into our work with these resources for researchers, policymakers, journalists and communities.
- Overview
Helping livestock farmers cut methane emissions
- Video
Bill Nye the Science Guy highlights the fastest way to slow global warming
- Expert Voices
Methane in the spotlight: 10 scientific facts you should know
- Explainer
Methane: A crucial opportunity in the climate fight
- Article
Sweeping new US rules to cut climate-warming methane pollution
- Blog post
As Europe faces an energy crisis, it’s time to plug the leaks
Our methane experts
-
Daniel Zavala-Araiza
Senior Scientist II
-
Matt Watson
Vice President, Energy Transition
-
Mina Berkow
Director, Energy Transition
-
Jon Goldstein
Senior Director, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs
-
Rosalie Winn
Director and Lead Counsel, Methane and Clean Air Policy
-
Flavia Sollazzo
Senior Director, EU Energy Transition
Staff perspective
By emitting even a little bit of methane, humankind is greatly accelerating the rate of climate change.
Steven Hamburg
Chief Scientist
Media contact
Lauren Whittenberg
(512) 691-3437 (office)
(512) 784-2161 (mobile)