Methane emissions from fossil fuel operations show no sign of declining in 2025, while reducing methane emissions has the potential to bring additional volumes of natural gas to market, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Monday in an annual report.
In its Global Methane Tracker 2026, the agency said oil, gas and coal production reached record highs in 2025, with methane emissions from these activities totaling 124 million tonnes (Mt) annually.
The fossil fuel sector accounts for around 35 percent of methane emissions from human activity, said the report. About 70 percent of methane emissions from fossil fuels, or nearly 85 Mt, can be abated with existing technology, including three-quarters of emissions from oil and gas and about half of coal emissions.
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is reshaping the global energy system and disrupting around 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG), the IEA said, adding that as countries seek alternative gas sources to replace lost volumes, large quantities of produced gas are not being put to productive use owing to methane leaks, as well as flaring and venting from oil and gas operations.
The IEA estimated that nearly 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas could be made available annually through global efforts to cut methane from oil and gas operations, with a further 100 bcm unlocked through the elimination of non-emergency flaring worldwide.
In the immediate future, if countries with spare export capacity and gas importers implement abatement measures across their upstream and downstream operations, nearly 15 bcm of natural gas could be made available in a sufficiently short period to provide some relief to gas markets, according to the report.
Methane abatement has potential to bring additional gas volumes to market: IEA
China is gaining a growing reputation as one of the top global tourism destination as more international travelers marvel at its modern infrastructure and enjoy its safe and hospitable environment.
The country is experiencing a surge in tourism during the five-day May Day Holiday which began on Friday, with more and more global visitors making the trip thanks to the introduction of a range of visa-free and transit visa policies for ordinary passport holders from many countries.
The bustling city of Shanghai has seen a hike in international tourism in recent days, with a number of foreign visitors flocking in to explore China's culture and enjoy the local cuisine.
"We are impressed with China. We love China now, and we are similar in the culture. For example, the spicy food," said a tourist from Mexico.
Meanwhile, Chongqing, a mountainous metropolis in the country's southwest has also become a trending destination for tourists from across the world, with many amazed by its stunning and distinctive cityscape.
"[This] city on the hills is amazing, so when you first go to one of the rivers and you see how the huge buildings cluster over the rivers, that's amazing," said a British traveler.
"I also think that the infrastructures are very good and very futuristic and modern, like the subway is very efficient and it's very good. So I want to give a thumbs-up to like the Chinese people because I think they are very kind with foreigners, like every Chinese people I met in Shanghai and here, they always are very friendly," said a tourist from France.
On top of the eye-catching attractions and impressive infrastructure, many highlighted the friendly nature of the Chinese people and the sense of security they feel while traveling in the country.
A group of three friends from Spain said they have been impressed by the hospitable welcome they have received, and the level of social trust they have encountered during their stay China.
"We feel like at home, even though most of them they don't speak English, they are nice," said one of the group.
"You can [not worry about] the pocket, they don't try to like steal from you or anything. If you forget the phone at the table, they go like: 'hey, you forgot that'," said another.
"When we just arrived in Shanghai and he forgot the e-book in the plane and I received an email, like 'guys you you forgot the e-book in the plane'. So for us, it was wow, crazy," added another of the Spanish tourists.
Foreign visitors marvel at China's modern infrastructure; safe, hospitable environment
