The International Gas Union (IGU) welcomes the release of the IEA’s 2026 Global Methane Tracker and continues to support the global gas industry’s efforts to address methane emissions.
Reducing gas flaring and methane emissions could make more natural gas commercially available over time, but linking this potential to additional quantities of currently idle LNG production is misleading. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not a natural gas availability crisis, but rather a supply crisis resulting from geopolitical actions.
The IGU also urges world governments to adopt methane policies that are fully consistent with the realities of the gas industry and do not create further uncertainty and energy insecurity by deterring investment in gas supply and infrastructure.
Taking strong action to reduce methane emissions is critical to increasing the commercial, social and environmental value of the gas. We pay tribute to the many IGU members who have already committed to reducing methane emissions by at least 30% and working with near-zero leakage by 2030.
The IGU welcomes the fact that more than 50% of the oil and gas industry is now committed to near-zero emissions, compared to less than 20% of the industry five years ago. This increased commitment has achieved measurable results, with the global average methane intensity in the oil and natural gas industry declining by 10% since 2019.
However, there is still much to be done. Low average levels of methane intensity mask significant differences in performance between regions and countries, which must be addressed. To succeed, methane emissions must be continuously reduced globally and across the entire natural gas value chain. This is where the International Geographical Union can play a crucial role.
Because IGU membership represents the global gas industry broadly, we are ideally placed to help members step up their emissions performance. Peer-to-peer engagement and regional dialogues facilitated by the IGU are powerful mechanisms for sharing knowledge and best practices, as these continue to build the capacity and ambition needed to move methane emissions out of the entire natural gas value chain.
Mark McCrory, Director of Policy and Analysis at the International Gas Union, said: “I am confident that together our global gas industry will continue to do more and better to tackle methane emissions because gas is essential for human progress and global growth, and its availability, flexibility and affordability make it one of the best suitable energy options.”
Source: International Gas Union
