Methane science

Forging the path on methane research

EDF has been at the forefront of methane science for over a decade. Our scientists have contributed to more than 120 peer-reviewed studies on methane — a potent climate pollutant — examining the magnitude and location of emissions, their impact, and methods for measuring emissions over time.

And our work continues. Our groundbreaking research is helping to give the world an unprecedented understanding of methane emissions globally— and guiding action to make sure reductions happen quickly.

Download a bibliography of our methane research (PDF)

EDF’s global leadership on methane research

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Studies EDF scientists and partners have published on methane
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Organizations that have partnered with us on methane science research
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Countries where EDF scientists and partners have studied methane, in addition to globally focused work

The impact of our methane science

Methane is the main ingredient in natural gas, and fossil fuel production is a major source of global methane emissions along with agriculture and waste management.

EDF scientists focus on understanding methane emissions from different sectors across the globe, with research on topics including:

Methane from oil and gas, coal mines and agriculture.
Climate impacts and mitigation of methane.
Satellite-based quantification and characterization of methane.
Assessment methods to improve characterization of methane emissions.

We’re studying ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock farming by improving manure management and animals’ diets and health. We’ve researched methane leaks from liquified natural gas terminals. And we launched MethaneSAT, a satellite that will aim to find and measure methane emissions from regions accounting for more than 80% of global oil and gas production.

Our goal? Working with academic, industry and nonprofit partners around the world to better characterize, measure and, ultimately, cut methane emissions from a variety of sources.

We’re also making the data we gather public. Alongside partners like the United Nations’ International Methane Emissions Observatory, we’re working to improve the data we collect and provide it to the public, ensuring that policymakers can develop targeted solutions to reduce emissions quickly and effectively — and that those reductions can be verified.

Timeline: A decade of discovery leads to our methane moment

Partner perspective

Environmental Defense Fund’s cutting-edge methane science and constructive engagement over the past decade have spurred companies and countries to action on methane pollution and helped make the Global Methane Pledge possible.

Fatih Birol

Executive Director, International Energy Agency, in the 2022 EDF Impact Report

Researchers looking at a laptop together. — EDF scientist Stefan Schwietzke (left) and  Mackenzie L. Smith of Scientific Aviation/ChampionX Emissions Technologies study methane in Romania.

A researcher uses a handheld imaging device outdoors. — EDF scientist Stefan Schwietzke (left) and  Mackenzie L. Smith of Scientific Aviation/ChampionX Emissions Technologies study methane in Romania.

Featured research projects and publications

From building a methane-hunting satellite to analyzing methane emissions in the world’s largest oil field, here are a few highlights from our work. See more of our published research (PDF).