Cutting methane pollution to slow climate change
The problem: Methane pollution released this year will warm the planet more in the next decade than carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels. While cutting methane is the single fastest way to slow the rate of global warming, current efforts fall far short of the drastic reductions we need.
What we’re doing about it: Through research and advocacy, we’ve been driving global action to cut methane pollution for over a decade, and we’re building a methane-tracking satellite to help scale reductions worldwide. Our goal is to reduce global methane emissions from the energy and agricultural sectors by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Methane pollution by the numbers
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How much more potent methane is than carbon dioxide in the near term
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Cost of wasted gas emitted by U.S. oil and gas companies per year, enough to fuel 10 million homes in the U.S.
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Amount of methane reductions the oil and gas industry can achieve globally using technologies available today, two-thirds of it at no net cost
Our work slashing global methane emissions
- Video
TED Talk explains how cutting methane can slow warming
- Project
Slow global warming fast with MethaneSAT
- Article
EDF study: The fastest way to save melting sea ice
- Video
Cutting methane doesn’t just slow warming — it improves health
- Timeline
Slashing methane to slow global warming right now
- Blog post
As Europe faces an energy crisis, it’s time to plug the leaks
Updates
Read the latest articles, blogs and press releases on methane.
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Time for Australian policymakers to catch up on methane reporting
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Meet the rancher exposing the dangers of natural gas to our health
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EPA and DOE Announce $1 Billion in Congressional Funds to Reduce Methane Emissions
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EPA and DOE Announce $1 Billion in Funding for Methane Mitigation
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MethaneSAT live updates: A new frontier in the climate fight
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This scientist is developing a satellite to fight climate change
Article,
Methane pollution resources
Dig deeper into our work with these resources for researchers, policymakers, journalists and communities.
- Video
Bill Nye the Science Guy highlights the fastest way to slow global warming
- Article
Global food companies join EDF for a groundbreaking step on dairy methane
- Blog post
What science is saying about methane pollution, and how the world is finally listening
- Blog post
A U.S. economy-wide methane target: essential, achievable, affordable
- Article
Cleanup begins for thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells
- Blog post
UN’s MARS program launches methane detection into the Space Age
Our methane experts
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Daniel Zavala-Araiza
Senior Scientist II
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Matt Watson
Vice President, Energy Transition
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Mina Berkow
Director, Energy Transition
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Jon Goldstein
Senior Director, Regulatory & Legislative Affairs
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Rosalie Winn
Director and Lead Counsel, Methane and Clean Air Policy
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Flavia Sollazzo
Senior Director, EU Energy Transition
Staff perspective
By emitting even a little bit of methane, humankind is greatly accelerating the rate of climate change.
Steven Hamburg
Chief Scientist
Media contact
Lauren Whittenberg
(512) 691-3437 (office)
(512) 784-2161 (mobile)