"Methane emissions continue to climb despite a pledge by countries to curb climate pollution."

"Despite the efforts of more than half of all countries worldwide to curb a key climate super-pollutant, a report released this week by the United Nations Environment Programme at the U.N. climate summit shows that global methane emissions continue to climb at a troubling pace.

The report was the first worldwide assessment of the Global Methane Pledge, an effort to curb methane emissions, since the United States and the European Union launched the initiative during the U.N.’s annual Conference of the Parties climate summit in Glasgow in 2021. 

Methane—a potent greenhouse gas and the second leading driver of climate change after carbon dioxide—is responsible for approximately one-third of human-caused warming to date. The U.S. remains part of the non-binding pledge but has rolled back methane regulations under President Donald Trump.

Curbing methane emissions is widely considered the most expedient way to combat climate change. Unlike carbon dioxide, which can remain in the atmosphere for centuries, methane only sticks around for approximately 12 years. The primary sources of methane pollution are agriculture, oil and gas infrastructure and landfills."

Phil McKenna reports for Inside Climate News November 21, 2025. [2]