A new study has found that methane emissions from human activities are rapidly increasing, significantly intensifying climate change. The research, published in Environmental Research Letters, shows a nearly 12% rise in methane emissions since 2000.

Human Contributions Surge

In 2020, the last year with complete data, the world emitted 670 million tonnes of methane, up from 608 million tonnes in 2000. The study highlights that human-driven emissions rose nearly 18% over two decades, while natural sources, mainly from wetlands, increased only 2%. "Methane is a climate menace that the world is ignoring," said Rob Jackson, the study's lead author and head of the Global Carbon Project.

Although carbon dioxide remains the major greenhouse gas, Jackson emphasises that methane’s quicker atmospheric removal makes it a potent lever for climate action. "Methane leaves the atmosphere in about a decade, so cutting it can yield swift benefits," he noted. In 2000, human activities were responsible for 60% of methane emissions. By 2020, this figure had risen to 65%.

Regional and Sectoral Insights

The study indicates that methane emissions from human activities are rising globally, except in Europe. Significant increases are noted in Asia, particularly China and India. Over the past 20 years, methane emissions from coal mining, oil and gas have surged by 33%. Landfills and waste have contributed to a 20% rise, while agriculture emissions grew by 14%.

The research also points out that cattle are the largest single source of human-related methane emissions. However, Cornell University’s Robert Howarth criticises the study for not adequately addressing the impact of fracking, which began around 2005 and coincides with a notable increase in methane emissions.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Jackson also highlighted that natural methane emissions from tropical wetlands have increased due to warmer temperatures, which stimulate more gas production. This rise is troubling as there are currently no methods to mitigate these emissions.

Despite global promises to address methane emissions in 2021, Jackson’s data, which ends in 2020, shows that recent global monitoring indicates accelerated methane concentrations. "The global methane pledge is not having a substantive effect on emissions," Jackson said.

Andrew Weaver, a climate scientist from the University of Victoria, stresses that more work is needed to avoid severe global warming consequences. "We have a lot more work to do if we want to avoid the most dire outcomes of climate change," he warned.