Investigating the near-term climate and health benefits of methane mitigation

An International Earth System Modelling Collaboration

Our work helps us understand how reducing methane emissions could limit and delay the worst impacts of near-term climate change

Methane (CH₄) is a short-lived, potent greenhouse gas responsible which has substantially contributed to observed climate change. Methane emissions also harm human and ecosystem health through increasing ground-level ozone pollution. MethaneMIP investigates the potential climate and health benefits of plausible reductions in methane emissions over the coming decades using state-of-the-art Earth System Models.

Why care about Methane?

Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, responsible for roughly 0.5°C of the 1.2°C global warming since the pre-industrial era. Its short atmospheric lifetime of about a decade means reducing methane emissions can quickly slow the rate of warming. Achieving the Paris climate accords of limiting warming to 2°C above pre-industrial is not possible without methane mitigation. In addition, due to increases in ground-level ozone pollution, thousands of premature deaths are caused for every million tonnes of methane emitted.

Where do methane emissions come from?

Methane emissions come from both natural and human-made sources. Approximately 60% of global methane emissions are caused by humans activities. The largest contributors are agriculture (especially livestock), the energy industry (oil and gas, and coal mining) and waste (landfills and wastewater treatment). Natural sources include wetlands, termites, and geological seepage, which together account for around 40% of global methane emissions. Some sources of natural emissions, such as wetlands or permafrost, may strengthen under climate change, partially blurring the boundaries between natural and human-influenced.

How can we reduce our methane emissions?

The Global Methane Pledge aims to reduce methane emissions from human activity by 30% by 2030 relative to 2020 levels. There are plausible roadmaps for achieving this goal. Technical measures which are already technologically possible, many of which are cheap or profitable, can reduce our emissions by up to 50%. Examples include leak repair and appropriate flaring in the oil and gas sector, feed additives for cattle, and diversion of organic matter from landfill. Behavioural changes, such as a lower consumption of beef and reduction in the amount of waste, can supercharge those methane emission reductions. Importantly, the roadmap to reducing methane emissions is plausible, cost-effective, targeted, and made easier by technological advances.

What is the role of MethaneMIP?

While previous scientific studies have provided a guide for the impacts we may expect from reducing methane emissions, MethaneMIP will be the first comprehensive project to focus on estimating the climate and health benefits of methane mitigation according to a wide range of state-of-the-art Earth System Models under plausible mitigation scenarios. This project will explore the climate and health impacts of implementing substantial reductions of methane over the coming decades. We will explore the impacts on the atmospheric circulation, the cryosphere, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution, human health, vegetation and much more.

MethaneMIP has participation from over 10 climate modelling centres around the world

  • Dr Mark England

    MethaneMIP Project Lead, University of Exeter

  • Professor Drew Shindell

    Duke University

  • Dr Fiona O'Connor

    UK Met Office, University of Exeter

  • Dr Chris Smith

    Vrije Universiteit Brussel, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

  • Professor Yangyang Xu

    Texas A&M University

  • Dr Chuan Feng

    Texas A&M University

  • Dr Benjamin Gaubert

    National Center for Atmospheric Research

  • Dr Rachel Law

    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

  • Dr Tilo Ziehn

    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

  • Dr Patrick Jöckel

    Institute of Atmospheric Physics - German Aerospace Center

  • Dr Franziska Winterstein

    Institute of Atmospheric Physics - German Aerospace Center

  • Dr Thomas Kleinen

    Max Planck Institute for Meteorology

  • Dr Vaishali Naik

    NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

  • Dr Martin Cussac

    National Centre for Meteorological Research France

  • Dr Lise Seland Graff

    Norwegian Meteorological Institute

  • Dr Dirk Olivié

    Norwegian Meteorological Institute

  • Dr Michael Sigmond

    Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis

“Slashing emissions of methane is the single fastest way to tackle climate change in the short term”

— Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.

Let’s work together.

We’re always excited to connect with researchers, policymakers, and organizations passionate about tackling climate change through methane mitigation. Whether you have questions about our work, are interested in collaboration, or simply want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.

Proudly funded by