Overview

• The UN's Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) has detected over 1,200 significant methane plumes, but only about 1% have prompted action.
• Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to global warming, yet efforts to curb emissions remain insufficient.
• Despite pledges to cut methane emissions, many oil and gas companies and governments have failed to take substantive corrective measures.
• The United States has introduced a new federal fine for methane emissions to incentivize reductions, but future regulatory changes are uncertain.
• The lack of accountability is partly due to difficulties in identifying the specific sources and owners of methane leaks detected by satellites.