
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
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How much more potent methane is than carbon dioxide in the near term
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Cost of wasted gas emitted by U.S. oil and gas companies per year, enough to fuel 10 million homes in the U.S.
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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
- Project
We launched a satellite to fight climate pollution and slow global warming
- Article
Planet-warming methane pollution far exceeds EPA estimates
- 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
- Expert Voices
Global food companies join EDF for a groundbreaking step on dairy methane
Updates
Read the latest articles, blogs and press releases on methane.
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House, Senate Introduce Resolutions to Walk Back on Methane Pollution
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Study shows small sources account for large share of oil & gas methane emissions, underscores importance of key federal initiatives
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STUDY: smaller, dispersed sources account for majority of U.S oil & gas methane emissions
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Now more than ever: The business case for strong methane regulations
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National oil companies and the global methane opportunity
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Collaborative levers for methane abatement in national oil companies
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Methane pollution resources
Dig deeper into our work with these resources for researchers, policymakers, journalists and communities.
- Overview
Our cutting-edge science is guiding global action to cut methane
- Overview
Helping livestock farmers cut methane emissions
- Video
Bill Nye the Science Guy highlights the fastest way to slow global warming
- Project
Unearthing Pennsylvania’s legacy of orphan and abandoned wells
- Explainer
Methane: A crucial opportunity in the climate fight
- Video
See how MethaneSAT will protect the climate
Our methane experts
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) 784-2161 (office)