London, United Kingdom (Enmaeya News) — Global methane emissions continue to rise steadily, with nearly one-third linked to international trade, according to a new study that highlights rapidly growing emissions in developing countries, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.
Published in Nature Communications, the study tracked methane emissions across 164 countries and 120 economic sectors from 1990 to 2023. Researchers found that while developed nations have managed to grow their economies while reducing methane output, developing regions are seeing emissions surge alongside industrial, agricultural, and energy expansion.
“Global trade is responsible for roughly 30% of methane emissions,” the study notes, adding that as trade patterns shift, emissions increasingly come from countries that lack infrastructure or regulatory systems to manage them effectively.
Methane, while short-lived in the atmosphere compared with carbon dioxide, is about 80 times more potent in trapping heat over 20 years and has contributed roughly 30% of global warming since the start of the industrial era. It also worsens air pollution, causing an estimated one million premature deaths annually.
“Because methane breaks down faster than carbon dioxide, reductions today can stabilize global temperatures within years rather than decades,” said Professor Yuli Shan of the University of Birmingham, UK, and lead author of the study. He emphasized the urgency of coordinated global action ahead of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference.
The study identifies major methane sources including oil and gas extraction, livestock, fertilizer production, and waste management. Fertilizer production, in particular, is flagged for urgent attention due to high emissions and growing demand.
Researchers propose a range of solutions: advanced leak detection for oil and gas, improved livestock feed to cut digestive emissions, smarter waste management, and consumer choices such as reduced red meat consumption.
Professor Klaus Hubacek of the University of Groningen, Netherlands, co-author of the study, said, “Addressing methane requires understanding both where emissions occur and why, looking at entire supply chains. This study provides policymakers a roadmap for integrating methane into national climate strategies.”
The findings suggest that reducing methane emissions, especially in fast-growing regions, could have a rapid and significant impact on global temperatures and public health, while giving the world time to strengthen long-term carbon dioxide reduction strategies.
