By Abbas Nazil
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent global action to drastically reduce methane emissions, describing the potent greenhouse gas as a major driver of climate change and one of the quickest targets for slowing global warming.
Speaking during a super-pollutants reception at London Climate Action Week, Guterres warned that the climate crisis is accelerating rapidly and that the world is on course to exceed the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold within the coming years.
He stressed that reducing methane emissions presents a significant opportunity to curb rising temperatures and deliver immediate climate benefits.
According to the UN chief, methane accounts for nearly one-third of current global warming and remains one of the most dangerous greenhouse gases due to its powerful heat-trapping ability.
Unlike carbon dioxide, which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, methane breaks down within a few decades, making emission reductions one of the fastest ways to slow the pace of global warming.
Guterres described methane as a “super super-pollutant” and said tackling it must become a priority if the international community hopes to keep temperature increases within manageable limits.
He highlighted the launch of a new global Call to Action on Methane and pointed to findings from the International Energy Agency showing that about 70 per cent of methane emissions from oil and gas operations can be eliminated using existing technologies at little or no net cost.
The Secretary-General noted that advances in satellite technology now make it possible to detect methane leaks in real time, providing governments and industries with tools to monitor and address pollution more effectively.
To accelerate progress, Guterres outlined three key actions for governments and industry leaders.
These include detecting and repairing methane leaks while ending routine flaring and venting practices, ensuring emissions are measurable and transparently reported, and adopting science-based global standards that support the development of near-zero methane energy markets.
He cited Norway as an example of successful methane regulation, noting that if all producers matched the country’s standards, methane emissions from oil and gas activities could decline by as much as 90 per cent.
The UN chief declared that voluntary commitments are no longer sufficient to address the growing climate emergency.
He emphasized that much of the world’s methane reduction potential lies within G20 countries and the fossil fuel sector, making those areas critical targets for action.
Guterres also called for stronger support for developing countries, saying they require financing, technology transfer and capacity-building assistance to reduce emissions from agriculture, waste management and fossil fuel production.
He described the effort as a test of global climate solidarity and reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting countries willing to take meaningful action.
Addressing a related forum on financing for development, the Secretary-General said climate adaptation has become an immediate necessity rather than preparation for a distant future.
He warned that rising temperatures, extreme weather events and prolonged heatwaves are exposing weaknesses in infrastructure, institutions and economies around the world.
Citing data from the World Meteorological Organization showing that the last 11 years have been the hottest on record, Guterres said the world is entering a new era of climate risk.
He argued that adaptation is not only a matter of climate justice but also an economic, developmental and security imperative.
The UN chief urged multilateral development banks, climate funds, insurers, donors and development partners to work together to ensure that vulnerable nations have access to financing needed to build resilience and protect communities from worsening climate impacts.
He called for collective action to make resilience the foundation of a safer, more sustainable and secure future for all.
