Fossil Fuels Hub

Accelerating action to reduce methane and other super pollutants from the fossil fuel sector

1.5°C-aligned pathways cannot be achieved without decisive and immediate action
on methane and other super pollutants. Cutting methane emissions across
the fossil fuel sector is among the fastest and most effective ways to slow near-term
warming and keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach.

This requires a dual approach. Deep reductions in methane emissions from existing
fossil fuel production, processing and distribution systems must be pursued alongside
the rapid deployment of renewable energy systems that avoid such emissions from the outset.
Targeted methane mitigation is therefore an essential complement to long-term
decarbonisation and a Just Energy Transition.

Engagement Strategy

≈ 1/3

of current warming is linked to methane

≈ 35%

of methane emissions come from the fossil fuel sector

≈ 70%

of fossil fuel methane emissions can be abated with existing technology

≈ 30%

of fossil fuel operational emissions can be reduced at no net cost

WHY ACTION ON FOSSIL FUEL METHANE MATTERS

Methane is far more powerful than carbon dioxide over the near term, but it is also shorter-lived in the atmosphere. Rapid reductions can therefore slow down warming while providing more time for a Just Energy Transition appropriate to national and regional circumstances.

Proven, low-cost solutions already exist and can be deployed at scale today. In the fossil fuel sector, measures such as leak detection and repair, elimination of routine venting and flaring, capture of associated gas and equipment upgrades are technically mature and can often generate net economic returns. The primary barrier is increasingly not technology, but implementation.

1. Climate

Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest and most cost-effective opportunities to slow near-term global warming.

2. Air quality

Methane mitigation and reductions in co-emitted pollutants can support better health outcomes and agricultural productivity.

3. Safety

Reducing leaks can lower risks to workers, surrounding communities and infrastructure while protecting reliable operations.

4. ENERGY security

Preventing methane losses keeps a valuable resource in productive use, supporting efficiency and energy security.

5. Access to markets

Methane performance is increasingly linked to import requirements, reporting expectations and emerging standards for oil and gas products.

6. Access to finance

Effective methane management and robust monitoring frameworks are increasingly important for access to capital and investment.

OUR APPROACH: FROM AMBITION TO IMPLEMENTATION

The CCAC Fossil Fuel Hub connects policymakers, regulators, subject-matter experts and operators to accelerate fossil fuel short-lived climate pollutant reductions, turning shared knowledge and best practice into policy action embedded in national plans and Nationally Determined Contributions.

1

Leadership & ambition

Promote regional and global leadership on methane and black carbon mitigation.

2

National planning

Integrate reduction mechanisms into national plans and implementation instruments.

3

Policy & regulation

Support governments seeking to regulate fossil fuel methane and black carbon.

4

Practical implementation

Translate sector plans and commitments into practical action.

5

Measurement & verification

Strengthen measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification.

6

Measurable action

Deliver practical and measurable reductions in methane and other short-lived climate pollutant emissions.

End methane
waste & losses

Apply zero routine venting and flaring, implement comprehensive leak detection and repair, and strengthen equipment performance and work practices.

Make methane measurable

Develop appropriate MRV frameworks, including asset-level measurement and public disclosure, building on frameworks such as OGMP 2.0 and incorporating satellite emission detection and response mechanisms such as MARS.

towards zero methane intensity

Combine regulatory, performance, information and economic approaches, while connecting methane performance with financing and market access.

HOW THE FOSSIL FUEL HUB DELIVERS

Community of Practice

The Fossil Fuel Hub brings together government officials, technical experts, companies and civil society to share experience, build capacity and align action.

Expertise · Communication · Support

Join the Hub

Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme (FFRP)

Supporting governments to develop and implement effective regulatory and policy frameworks for fossil fuel methane and black carbon.

Regulation · Implementation · Capacity

Explore FFRP

Methane Regulator-to-Regulator Network
(MR2R)

A peer-to-peer platform created by CCAC and the IEA to help fossil fuel regulators share experience, develop best practices and strengthen methane regulation through trusted collaboration.

Peer exchange · Best practice · Regulatory capacity

Explore MR2R

Statement: Drastically Reducing Methane Emissions in Global Fossil Fuel Sector

Supporting international cooperation between producing and consuming countries to advance near-zero methane emissions across fossil fuel value chains. Responsibillty is shared by all the countries.

International cooperation · Shared responsibility · Near-zero methane marketplace

Read the Statement

Featured regulatory tool

Blueprint for a Comprehensive Oil and Gas Methane Regulation

Supports governments developing methane regulation and provides a practical basis for implementation and enforcement.

Explore the Blueprint →

Measurement, transparency, satellite detection and response

The Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0

Measurement-based methane emissions reporting

UNEP’s flagship oil and gas methane reporting and mitigation programme, providing a comprehensive, measurement-based framework to improve the accuracy and transparency of methane emissions data.

Visit OGMP 2.0

Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)

Satellite-based detection and response

UNEP’s global satellite-based methane detection and notification system, providing actionable data to governments and companies so they can identify major emissions and take rapid mitigation action.

Explore MARS

FINANCE, MARKETS & SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Delivering methane reductions at scale requires more than technical solutions. Current investment remains substantially below the level required to achieve available methane mitigation potential. At the same time, many fossil fuel methane measures are low-cost or can generate economic returns by improving operational efficiency and capturing product that would otherwise be lost.

Scaling action requires financing approaches that can combine public, private and concessional capital. Stronger market signals and incentives can also reward low-methane performance and enable differentiation across value chains.

1

National frameworks

Build strong national policy and regulatory frameworks that support effective methane action.

2

Measurement & disclosure

Strengthen transparency through measurement, disclosure, data tracing and performance benchmarking.

3

Finance & incentives

Mobilise public, private and concessional finance and create incentives that reward stronger methane performance.

4

Market access & trade

Link methane performance with market requirements, value-chain differentiation and access to trade.

5

Regional & global cooperation

Support greater harmonisation, interoperability and shared responsibility across regional and global markets.

Moving from commitment to measurable action

The Fossil Fuel Hub supports governments and partners in moving from national plans and commitments towards practical implementation – strengthening regulation, institutions, monitoring systems and cooperation across borders.

Please contact the CCAC Secretariat for more information on how to engage with the unique global partnership we provide.

Contact CCAC Secretariat

Spotlight RESOURCES

The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels

Global Methane Status Report

Global Methane Tracker

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Global Economic Assessment