The latest methane figures show emissions increased by nine per cent - or 50 million tons - from 2007 to 2017.

The Global Carbon Project (GCP) records global methane (CH4) sources and sinks in the atmosphere.

Its latest report shows that global methane emissions have increased by 9 per cent (about 50 Million tons) between 2007 and 2017. Anthropogenic emissions appear to be the main contributors to this increase, with equal shares between fossil fuel sector and agriculture and waste sector.

Methane is the second most common anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). However, methane has a warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide (on a 100-year time horizon).

Since 1750, atmospheric methane concentration has more than doubled due to emissions from human activities. After a period of stabilisation in the early 2000s, methane concentrations have been rising again since 2007.

The increase in methane concentrations suggests future scenarios will not comply with the objectives of Paris Agreement.

Anthropogenic methane emissions are shared as follows between the different main sources of methane:

  • 30 per cent from enteric fermentation (digestion) and manure management
  • 22 per cent from oil and gas production and use
  • 18 per cent from handling solid and liquid wastes
  • 11 per cent from coal extraction
  • 8 per cent from rice cultivation
  • 8 per cent from biomass and biofuel burning
  • The rest is attributed to transport (e.g. road transport) and industry

The report is accessible here.