UN Report Flags India’s Rising Methane Emissions: Agricultural Gaps
Background
The Global Methane Status Report was released on 17 November 2025 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem. The report assesses progress under the Global Methane Pledge, launched in 2021, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.The report notes that although projections for 2030 have improved and some progress has been achieved, the world remains significantly behind the target required to meet the pledge.
Global Methane Pledge: Progress and Concerns
Statement by Julie Dabrusin
Julie Dabrusin, Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Co-Convener of the Global Methane Pledge, stated that:
- Progress has been made within four years of the pledge.
- Faster and deeper methane reductions are still required.
- Every tonne of methane reduced contributes to:
- Cleaner air
- More resilient communities
- Stronger global economic outcomes
- Continued cooperation among pledge countries is necessary to convert commitments into measurable results.
India's Methane Emissions Profile
India's Global Position
- India is the third-largest methane emitter in the world.
- Methane emissions in 2020:
- 31 million tonnes
- Around 9% of global methane emissions
Dominance of Agriculture
Agriculture is India's largest methane-emitting sector.
Key Facts
- India contributes 12% of global agricultural methane emissions, among the highest shares worldwide.
- Major sources:
- Livestock
- Rice cultivation
Rice Cultivation
- Methane emissions from rice cultivation are projected to increase by 8% between 2020 and 2030.
Crop Residue Burning
The report identifies India as a major hotspot for:
- Crop residue burning
- Emissions from this source continue to increase despite global declines.
Waste Management Challenges
The report highlights:
- Persistent waste-management issues.
- Initial improvements in waste systems may temporarily increase methane emissions before long-term reductions occur.
Gap in Climate Commitments
Major Concern
India's current climate commitments:
- Do not identify actions to reduce agricultural methane emissions.
Implications
This omission may:
- Slow progress toward global methane-reduction targets.
- Weaken efforts to limit global warming.
Global Methane Situation
Importance of Methane
Methane is:
- A greenhouse gas more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
- Responsible for nearly one-third of current global warming.
Current Trends
The report finds:
- Methane emissions are still increasing globally.
- However, projected future emissions are lower than earlier forecasts due to:
- New waste regulations in Europe and North America
- Slower growth in natural gas markets
Potential Impact of Existing Commitments
If countries fully implement:
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Methane Action Plans
Then:
- Global methane emissions could decline by 8% by 2030.
- This would represent the largest and most sustained decline ever recorded.
Limitation
- An 8% reduction remains far below the 30% reduction target needed to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach.
Statement by Dan Jørgensen
Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, emphasized that:
- The Global Methane Pledge has translated ambition into practical action.
- Methane reduction efforts provide:
- Cleaner air
- Stronger economies
- Greater climate safety
- Rapid scaling of existing solutions is now essential to maintain the 1.5°C target.
Methane Mitigation Potential
Role of G20+ Countries
The report states:
- 72% of global methane mitigation potential lies within G20+ countries.
- These countries account for 65% of global anthropogenic methane emissions.
Maximum Technically Feasible Reductions
Full implementation could:
- Reduce methane emissions in G20+ economies by 36% between 2020 and 2030.
Cost Effectiveness
More Than 80% of Mitigation Potential
Can be achieved at:
- Less than USD 1,000 per tonne of methane annually
Sector-wise Mitigation Potential
| Sector | Share of Global Mitigation Potential |
|---|
| Energy | 72% |
| Agriculture | Significant share after energy |
| Waste | Significant share after agriculture |
The energy sector offers the largest pool of immediately deployable methane-reduction measures.
Recommended Actions for India
The report identifies several important interventions:
Rice Cultivation
- Improved water management practices.
Livestock and Manure
- Better manure handling systems.
Crop Residue Management
- Alternatives to crop residue burning.
Requirements for Success
Implementation will require:
- Strong policy signals
- Adequate financing
- Farmer engagement
Benefits of Full Implementation
Climate Benefits
By 2050, methane mitigation could:
Health Benefits
By 2030, it could:
- Prevent approximately 180,000 premature deaths annually.
Agricultural Benefits
By 2030, it could:
- Prevent nearly 19 million tonnes of crop losses annually.
Economic Benefits
Annual Benefits
- Estimated value: More than USD 330 billion per year
Estimated Mitigation Cost
Additional Observation
- Benefits become even greater when the broader social cost of methane is included.
Financing and Monitoring Challenges
The report warns that:
Methane Finance
- Current methane-related financing remains insufficient to meet 2030 requirements.
Measurement and Reporting
Stronger systems are needed for:
- Measurement
- Reporting
- Transparency
- Progress tracking
Statement by Inger Andersen
Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, stated that:
- Methane reduction is among the most immediate and effective ways to slow the climate crisis.
- It also:
- Protects human health
- Reduces crop losses
- Supports agricultural productivity
- Strengthens food security
- UNEP remains committed to helping countries translate commitments into practical action.
Global Methane Pledge: Current Status
Membership
The Global Methane Pledge now includes:
- 159 countries
- European Commission
Supporting Institutions
UNEP works through:
- Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
- International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)
These institutions help connect:
Key Conclusion
The report identifies the next five years as decisive for global methane reduction efforts.According to the report:
- The world has made measurable progress since 2021.
- Current efforts remain insufficient to achieve the 30% reduction target by 2030.
- India faces particular challenges due to:
- High agricultural methane emissions
- Rising rice-cultivation emissions
- Increasing crop residue burning
- Absence of agricultural methane-reduction measures in current climate commitments
- Stronger policies, financing, monitoring systems, and implementation of mitigation measures are essential to achieve meaningful methane reductions and associated climate, health, agricultural, and economic benefits.