Methane Emissions

Definition

‘Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that is emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil and natural gas. Methane emissions also come from livestock and agricultural practices, land use and decaying organic waste in landfill.’

Source: EPA

Explainer

After carbon dioxide (CO2), methane is the 2nd most abundant greenhouse gas caused by human activity, comprising roughly 16% of global emissions. However, methane has been shown to have 28 times the potency of carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat and radiation in the atmosphere. Though the Global North is disproportionately responsible for the majority of global emissions from industrialisation, today half of global anthropogenic methane emissions are coming from the US, China, Russia, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria. APRI’s partners are currently engaging in groundbreaking work with the Methane Mitigation and Reduction Project in Nigeria. Learn more here.