Methane leaks from abandoned coal mines, oil wells, and gas wells have made these neglected facilities the fourth-largest source of methane emissions worldwide, according to the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Despite the urgency, sealing these leaks remains a low priority due to high costs and weak enforcement—particularly in countries with deregulated fossil fuel industries. The IEA estimates that cleaning up these abandoned sites will cost approximately $100 billion.
Methane is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere and has contributed to about 30% of the Earth’s warming since the Industrial Revolution.
Reducing methane emissions is therefore one of the most effective strategies for limiting global temperature rise and improving air quality.
The scale of methane emissions from abandoned fossil fuel infrastructure
The IEA’s 2025 Global Methane Tracker, published in May 2025, revealed that emissions from abandoned fossil fuel sites would rank as the fourth-largest source of methane globally—behind only China, the United States, and Russia—if grouped as a single emitter.
According to the report, there are roughly 8 million abandoned onshore oil and gas wells worldwide, along with numerous disused coal mines. Collectively, these sites emitted 8 million tonnes (Mt) of methane in 2024.
- Abandoned coal mines accounted for nearly 5 Mt, with 60% of those emissions originating in China.
- Abandoned oil and gas wells produced about 3 Mt of methane, nearly 40% of which came from the United States.
While not all abandoned sites are high emitters, those improperly sealed or recently decommissioned tend to release methane for years, posing long-term environmental risks.
Among the top emitters:
- China leads, primarily due to its abandoned coal mines.
- The United States follows, mainly from oil and natural gas wells.
- Russia ranks third, with emissions from both coal and petroleum sites.
- Turkmenistan, India, Poland, Indonesia, and Ukraine also contribute notable emissions.
A call for urgent global action
The IEA report warns that methane leaks from fossil fuels remain alarmingly high, while national responses are insufficient despite the availability of cost-effective solutions. Technologies for capturing and selling methane alongside natural gas already exist and could yield profits for operators.
Moreover, advanced satellite systems now make it easier to detect leaks than ever before. Yet, according to The Guardian, satellite data often reveal much higher methane levels than those officially reported by many countries.
Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, emphasized the need for global accountability and action. He has proposed an international agreement specifically targeting methane, an idea that has gained support among climate advocates.
“Measuring methane emissions is not enough to mitigate them,” Zaelke said. “Having 25 satellites tell us we have a problem is not enough, nor is reminding fossil fuel emitters that it’s bad business to waste gas. It’s time to move from measuring and promising to mandatory performance.”
The IEA’s 2025 Global Methane Tracker underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action to address methane emissions from abandoned fossil fuel infrastructure.
Methane’s potency as a greenhouse gas means that continued neglect could accelerate climate change significantly. A decisive policy shift and international collaboration are essential to mitigate this growing threat.
The asset management challenge
From an infrastructure asset management perspective, the issue extends beyond climate policy. Decommissioning fossil fuel infrastructure involves significant costs, technical challenges, and long-term management considerations.
Properly addressing abandoned assets should be seen as part of the infrastructure lifecycle cost, ensuring that environmental liabilities are minimized and future risks reduced.
Source:
Global Methane Tracker 2025. (2025 May). Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2025
Harvey, F. (2025 May 7). Abandoned infrastructure one of the biggest polluters in the world – report. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/07/abandoned-infrastructure-one-of-the-biggest-polluters-in-the-world-report
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