Methane, or CH₄, is a greenhouse gas. Atmospheric methane has been rising and had record highs for 3 years running (as of 2023).

Methane emissions

Methane only stays in the atmosphere for an average of 12 years. However it has a higher radiative efficiency than carbon dioxide. It traps, on average, 83 times the heat (or infrared radiation) that an equivalent mass of CO₂ would.

We should work to cut methane emissions quickly, but not at the expense of cutting CO2. Methane is temporary, while CO2 is forever. (Tweet / Twitter)

Fossil fuel operations and agriculture are the most significant sources of human-caused methane emissions. The IEA estimates that the energy sector accounts for 40% of methane emissions from human activities—and that total methane emissions are 70% higher than what national governments have reported.

Rising temperatures can help produce more methane—for instance, by speeding up microbe activity in wetlands ¹.

Detecting methane emissions

Methane emissions can be visualised using thermal/infra-red imagery.

Methane Detection - Kairos Aerospace