The International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) of the UN Environment Programme is an initiative [1] which tackles the problem of methane emissions by collecting, integrating, and reconciling methane data from different sources, including scientific measurement studies, satellites, industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, and national inventories. It was presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)[2] at the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2021. IMEO creates a public global dataset of empirically verified methane emissions, with an initial focus on fossil fuel sources, and interconnects this data with actions on research, reporting, and regulation.[3] Giulia Ferrini is the Head of IMEO.[4]
Methane is an important greenhouse gas, and its atmospheric concentration has nearly tripled since pre-industrial times.[7] It is responsible for about a quarter of current anthropogenic climate warming.[8] Its relatively short atmospheric lifespan – 10 to 12 years – means that reducing methane emissions can yield near-term reductions in the rate of warming, as well as air quality benefits. In its special report in 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted that deep reductions in methane emissions must be achieved by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 or even 2 degrees.[9] Building upon this conclusion, in 2021 the IPCC highlighted in the IPCC 6th Assessment report the important role of methane and other short-lived climate pollutants, recognizing robust evidence that drastic cuts in methane are important for near-term climate benefits, improved air quality, and achieving the Paris Agreement temperature targets. The fossil fuel industry is responsible for an estimated one-third of anthropogenic methane emissions[8] and is the sector with the highest potential for rapid and cost-effective reductions,[10] slowing the rate of warming in the near term even as decarbonisation of the global energy system progresses.
An Eye On Methane Report
In October 2021, IMEO published its first annual report: "An Eye on Methane: International Methane Emissions Observatory 2021 Report". It describes how state actors can take action to curb methane emissions from the fossil fuel industry, and what progress has been made as part of the decarbonization process, particularly in the energy sector. The document provided a framework of action to track and monitor methane emissions to plan mitigation action.[8]
IMEO's Eye on Methane Data Platform
IMEO's Eye on Methane is a global methane emissions data platform developed by the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It provides open, reliable, and actionable data on methane emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide, integrating information from multiple sources to support mitigation efforts across governments, companies, and civil society.
The platform consolidates three primary data streams:
Industry reporting through the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), the UN-led framework for standardized methane emissions measurement and disclosure; includes the soon-to-launch Steel Met Coal sector,
Validated satellite detections and notifications from the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which tracks large emission events in near real time across, Oil & Gas, Steel Met Coal, Waste, and Agriculture
Methane science studies supported by IMEO to refine global emission estimates and methodologies across above sectors.
Eye on Methane combines these inputs in a unified database and interactive interface, allowing users to explore emissions by geography, company, and sector source type. It features both a public platform for open access and a secure insights tier for authorized government and industry users.
Launched in 2023, the platform aims to improve the accuracy, transparency, and accountability of methane emissions reporting, contributing to the implementation of the Global Methane Pledge and supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Integrate methane data from all available sources into a platform, accounting for the confidence of each data element, that improves the characterization of global methane emissions.
Collate proprietary asset emissions data through OGMP 2.0, report aggregated company data and verify progress towards announced targets using a range of data sources.
Hold companies accountable for their emission performance and encourage companies to increase their performance targets, making rigorous methane emissions management integral to their operational practices.
Fund scientific measurement studies to improve the characterization of methane emissions from human activities globally.
Evaluate measurement methodologies and technologies to encourage the adoption at scale.
Engage countries through capacity building by developing policy-relevant science, strengthening the science-policy interface, and deepening the understanding of the climate importance of methane mitigation.
Provide early warning services for extraordinary anthropogenic methane emissions.
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