Global Methane Emissions Equaled Europe’s Carbon Footprint in 2020
Methane leaks from oil and gas operations fell 10% from 2019 as production dropped
Oil prices dropped into negative territory for the first time on April 20 as the coronavirus pandemic all but obliterated global energy demand. Production cuts led to methane emission 10% lower than the estimate for 2019.
Photographer: David McNew/Getty Images North AmericaEmissions of planet-warming methane fell last year as oil and gas production declined, but they were still equivalent to the European Union’s total carbon dioxide emissions.
Oil and gas operations emitted just over 70 million metric tons of methane into the atmosphere in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency’s latest edition of its annual Methane Tracker report released on Monday. Emissions were 10% lower than the estimate for 2019 amid production cuts and the introduction of new methane regulations.