Climate Politics

World Is Off Course on Pledge to Rein In Heat-Trapping Methane

Flares burn off excess natural gas at the Endeavor Energy Resources LP oil and gas wells near Tarzan, Texas, on March 15, 2025. Photographer: Justin Hamel/Bloomberg

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By Jennifer A Dlouhy

November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM UTC

The world remains far behind global commitments to slash methane, according to a United Nations assessment that underscores the need for rapid, aggressive work to stifle emissions of the super pollutant.

Fulfilling a pledge by roughly 160 nations to cut methane emissions 30% from 2020 levels by 2030 “is technically still possible,” but only with swift action, according to the report released Monday amid UN climate talks in Belém, Brazil.