By Abbas Nazil
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for immediate and substantial reductions in methane emissions, urging governments and the fossil fuel industry to take stronger action to curb one of the most powerful drivers of global warming.
Speaking at London Climate Action Week on Tuesday, Guterres warned that the world is not moving quickly enough to cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the internationally agreed goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
He stressed that countries must focus on limiting any overshoot beyond the 1.5-degree threshold, reducing the duration of such an overshoot and bringing temperatures back below the target as rapidly as possible.
According to the UN chief, one of the fastest and most effective ways to achieve that objective is through aggressive cuts in methane emissions.
Guterres singled out the fossil fuel sector, arguing that coal, oil and gas industries are at the centre of both the climate crisis and ongoing energy challenges.
He criticised practices within the industry that continue to release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere and called for stronger accountability from companies benefiting from fossil fuel production.
The Secretary-General explained that methane is responsible for roughly one-third of the global warming experienced today.
Although methane remains in the atmosphere for a much shorter period than carbon dioxide, it is significantly more potent in trapping heat.
He noted that methane can capture around 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a short-term period, making it a critical target for rapid climate action.
Because methane breaks down in the atmosphere within one to two decades, reducing emissions now could deliver relatively quick benefits for slowing the pace of global warming.
Guterres’ remarks come as many regions around the world continue to experience increasingly severe climate impacts, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and other extreme weather events linked to rising global temperatures.
His speech also coincided with a heatwave warning in London, highlighting the growing urgency of climate action.
Climate experts have consistently identified methane reduction as one of the most cost-effective strategies for limiting near-term warming while countries continue efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from energy production, transportation and industry.
The UN chief reiterated that meaningful progress will require stronger commitments from governments and the private sector, particularly the fossil fuel industry, which remains a major source of methane emissions.
He urged nations to accelerate climate policies and strengthen implementation efforts to prevent further warming and protect communities from escalating climate risks.
The call adds to mounting international pressure on governments and energy companies to address methane pollution as part of broader efforts to achieve global climate goals and transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.
