The UK has a big opportunity to solidify its role as a true champion for methane reduction

In April this year, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee launched an inquiry to assess whether the UK is on track to meet the targets of the Global Methane Pledge.

EIA Climate Campaigner Kim O’Dowd contributed to the inquiry, presenting evidence and outlining key national and international actions needed for swift methane emissions reduction.

The Committee’s recently published report has been welcomed by EIA for its comprehensive and actionable recommendations.

EIA Climate Campaigner Kim O’Dowd

“We’re pleased to see many of our key conclusions reflected in the report,” said O’Dowd. “A stand-out recommendation is the adoption of a methane action plan to fulfil the UK’s Global Methane Pledge commitments.”

The report also highlighted the importance of redirecting international public finance toward methane mitigation:

“Sustained, predictable and long-term funding accessible to Global South countries is the missing piece for the Pledge’s success,” said O’Dowd. “The UK has a unique opportunity not only to commit additional resources but also to champion the creation of a financial mechanism that institutionalises methane finance.”

The Committee’s report also focuses action on methane emissions from the energy sector, where EIA’s key expertise lies.

“While the UK fossil fuel industry has taken some steps to mitigate methane emissions, these efforts are neither on the scale nor at the speed required,” O’Dowd emphasised. “Venting and leaking remain rampant at many facilities — we’ve seen it firsthand.

“The UK must urgently adopt harmonised monitoring, reporting and verification frameworks, implement leak detection and repair programmes and accelerate the ban on venting and flaring, all while transitioning away from fossil fuels entirely.”

The UK’s new financial commitment to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Fossil Fuel Regulatory Programme at the recent UN CoP29 climate summit shows growing interest in methane mitigation. By building on the House of Lords report’s recommendations, the UK could position itself as a global leader in tacking methane emissions.

“The new Government is showing promising signs of leadership,” added O’Dowd. “With a few decisive steps, it could solidify its role as a true champion for methane reduction.”