UN Environment Programme expands methane alert system to boost global emissions response

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the enlargement of its International Methane Emissions Observatory and the Mars (Methane Alert and Response System) platform, with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies. The upgraded system uses independent satellite data to pinpoint large methane leaks almost in real time and sends alerts to the responsible governments and operators.

UNEP officials noted that only about 13 % of the identified super‑emitters trigger investigations. The program now aims for governments and companies to respond to at least 80 % of alerts by 2030. Executive Director Inga Andersen said, “Now we can observe methane contamination in near‑real time from space. Inaction is no longer an oversight but a decision,” emphasizing the need for rapid technical and data support to stop high‑impact emissions.