Global Methane Initiative (GMI)

The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) promotes cost-effective, near-term methane recovery through partnerships between developed and developing countries, with participation from the private sector, development banks, and nongovernmental organizations.

GMI is an international public-private initiative that advances cost effective, near-term methane abatement and recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source in four sectors: agriculture, coal mines, municipal solid waste, oil and gas systems, and wastewater. These projects reduce GHG emissions in the near term and provide a number of important environmental and economic co-benefits such as:

• Stimulating local economic growth
• Creating new sources of affordable alternative energy
• Improving local air and water quality, with associated public health benefits
• Increasing industrial worker safety

The Initiative reduces the informational, institutional, and other market barriers to project development through the development of tools and resources, training and capacity building, technology demonstration, and direct project support. Special emphasis is given to bringing together all of the actors necessary for project development, including governments, financial institutions, project developers, technology providers, and others. More detailed information about the Initiative can be found in Global Methane Initiative: An Overview (PDF, 2 pp., 1.0 MB) and Frequently Asked Questions.