Satellites spot methane leaks but most go unfixed: UNEP aims for 80% repair rate by 2030

Satellites can now detect major methane leaks within days, but only 13% of alerts lead to any action from governments or companies, according to a new UNEP report. Methane causes about one-third of current global warming, and cutting it offers faster climate benefits than reducing CO2 alone. The fossil fuel sector is the cheapest and quickest to fix. UNEP's Methane Alert and Response System has issued over 5,000 alerts across 33 countries since 2023, triggering more than 40 verified repairs. One fix in Algeria stopped a decades-long leak, with climate benefits equal to removing half a million cars per year. A new push backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies aims to help countries respond to 80% of major leaks by 2030, up from just 10 countries today. The gap between detection and repair is now a choice, not a technical limitation. The expanded program will provide governments with data access, technical support, and capacity building to turn alerts into action faster.