In 2026, EU methane monitoring, measurement, and reporting obligations begin in phases, tightening requirements on how operators measure leaks and venting. Gas combustion alone produced 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 worldwide in 2022, and methane leakage estimated at 2.0 to 3.0% can erase much of the near term climate advantage of switching from coal. The industry progress tied to regulation and mitigation targets hinges on reducing those methane molecules, not only on changing how much gas is burned.
Key Takeaways
- Global CO2 emissions from energy industries in 2022 were about 15.7 GtCO2 (Our World in Data/Global Carbon Project decomposition), showing the scale of emissions where gas power matters
- Methane intensity is a key metric: EPA reports that US methane emissions from the natural gas system include leakage and venting, with total methane emissions for the oil and gas sector reported in the inventory (use year-specific inventory totals)
- IEA reports that global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.1% in 2023 (continuing pressure on decarbonization pathways where gas plays a role)
- 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted in 2022 from gas combustion worldwide (IPCC sectoral approach, reported as energy-related CO2 from natural gas)
- 75% of estimated global methane emissions come from human activities, including fossil fuel production and transport pathways relevant to natural gas
- 26% of global warming is estimated to be caused by methane over the near term (due to high short-term radiative forcing), motivating methane abatement in natural gas supply chains
- 2026 is the first year by which certain operator obligations under the EU Methane Regulation begin (phased implementation of monitoring, measurement, and reporting)
- The EU’s Renewable Energy Directive framework includes a 1.1% annual increase in the share of renewable energy in transport from 2026 onward (as set in the directive revisions), affecting biomethane and renewable gas pathways
- Net zero by 2050 is the UK economy-wide target, setting a decarbonization pathway that includes methane abatement and transition away from unabated gas where relevant
- The US EPA’s Beneficial Decarbonization Rule and related methane standards create compliance cost estimates; a finalized regulatory impact analysis quantifies costs for affected sources (reported in the Federal Register documentation)
- The IEA estimates global annual investment in CCUS needed to meet net-zero pathways rises to tens of billions of dollars per year by the early 2030s (investment requirement quantified in IEA CCUS tracking)
- The cost of methane abatement is often reported as relatively low; one IEA analysis estimates many methane measures can be implemented at low cost (quantified median/typical ranges in the report)
- Gas accounted for about 24% of global final energy consumption in 2022, indicating a large footprint for sustainability measures across gas supply and use
- Natural gas production worldwide reached 4,196 billion cubic meters in 2022 (IEA), establishing scale for methane and carbon management programs
- The global methane detection and monitoring market was valued at about $1.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow over the following years (market sizing from vendor/industry research)
Cutting methane leakage and flaring is crucial, since gas emissions and methane’s short term impact can erase climate gains.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends9 stats
01
Global CO2 emissions from energy industries in 2022 were about 15.7 GtCO2 (Our World in Data/Global Carbon Project decomposition), showing the scale of emissions where gas power matters
02
Methane intensity is a key metric: EPA reports that US methane emissions from the natural gas system include leakage and venting, with total methane emissions for the oil and gas sector reported in the inventory (use year-specific inventory totals)
03
IEA reports that global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.1% in 2023 (continuing pressure on decarbonization pathways where gas plays a role)
04
In 2023, LNG demand grew by 4.0% year-on-year (IEA monthly LNG market updates figure), affecting the scale of emissions and efficiency efforts
05
By 2024, more than 40 countries are reported to have net-zero targets including energy transition policies that influence gas decarbonization investments
06
The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership reports that global flaring volumes declined by 12% from 2019 to 2022 (directional measurement of flaring reduction efforts)
07
Satellite detection: One analysis reported that the largest 10% of methane sources account for a majority of emissions in measured regions (30–50% depending on dataset; super-emitter concentration)
08
Green hydrogen and renewable gas investments are increasingly bundled with gas grid upgrades; industry project pipeline counts show hundreds of biomethane/renewable gas projects in Europe by 2023 (pipeline scale figure)
09
The IEA estimates that, under stated policies, gas demand continues to grow in the medium term before leveling later in the decade (directional scenario quantified by IEA in the World Energy Outlook series)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends show that while energy related CO2 reached about 15.7 GtCO2 in 2022 and global energy related emissions rose 1.1% in 2023, LNG demand still increased 4.0% year on year and global gas flaring fell only 12% from 2019 to 2022, signaling that efficiency and methane management remain crucial as the sector responds to decarbonization targets.
02 · Category
Emissions & Intensity4 stats
01
1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted in 2022 from gas combustion worldwide (IPCC sectoral approach, reported as energy-related CO2 from natural gas)
02
75% of estimated global methane emissions come from human activities, including fossil fuel production and transport pathways relevant to natural gas
03
26% of global warming is estimated to be caused by methane over the near term (due to high short-term radiative forcing), motivating methane abatement in natural gas supply chains
04
2.0–3.0% methane leakage rate can eliminate the near-term climate advantage of switching from coal to gas in typical analyses (policy framing; used in multiple assessments)
Interpretation
Emissions & Intensity Interpretation
Although gas combustion emitted 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 worldwide in 2022, the emissions and intensity story is increasingly driven by methane, since 75% of global methane comes from human activity and a 2.0 to 3.0% leakage rate can wipe out gas’s near-term climate advantage over coal.
03 · Category
Regulatory & Policy3 stats
01
2026 is the first year by which certain operator obligations under the EU Methane Regulation begin (phased implementation of monitoring, measurement, and reporting)
02
The EU’s Renewable Energy Directive framework includes a 1.1% annual increase in the share of renewable energy in transport from 2026 onward (as set in the directive revisions), affecting biomethane and renewable gas pathways
03
Net zero by 2050 is the UK economy-wide target, setting a decarbonization pathway that includes methane abatement and transition away from unabated gas where relevant
Interpretation
Regulatory & Policy Interpretation
From 2026 onward, key regulatory milestones like the start of EU methane monitoring obligations and a 1.1% annual increase in renewable energy in transport, alongside the UK’s net zero target by 2050, show how policy is progressively tightening decarbonization requirements for the gas industry.
04 · Category
Cost & Investment7 stats
01
The US EPA’s Beneficial Decarbonization Rule and related methane standards create compliance cost estimates; a finalized regulatory impact analysis quantifies costs for affected sources (reported in the Federal Register documentation)
02
The IEA estimates global annual investment in CCUS needed to meet net-zero pathways rises to tens of billions of dollars per year by the early 2030s (investment requirement quantified in IEA CCUS tracking)
03
The cost of methane abatement is often reported as relatively low; one IEA analysis estimates many methane measures can be implemented at low cost (quantified median/typical ranges in the report)
04
EU ETS covered entities reported total EU allowance demand; in 2023, the EU ETS allowance price averaged about €85/tonne CO2 (European Energy Exchange/market data snapshot widely reported)
05
In the US, the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) provides a production tax credit of up to $3.00per kg for clean hydrogen depending on lifecycle emissions (amended hydrogen credit amounts impact clean gas investment economics)
06
The IRA provides an investment tax credit for clean electricity and related tax credits; for many clean energy components, credits can be as high as 30% (tax credit rate affecting broader energy transition including gas decarbonization projects)
07
The IEA estimates that electrification and efficiency measures can reduce operating costs in gas power and industrial settings; in one IEA analysis, energy efficiency improvements can cut energy bills by 5–10% (quantified typical savings range)
Interpretation
Cost & Investment Interpretation
For the Cost and Investment angle, the data suggests the gas industry’s sustainability push is increasingly shaped by rising financial demands and policy incentives, with CCUS needing tens of billions of dollars per year to hit net zero pathways and EU ETS allowance prices averaging about €85 per tonne of CO2 in 2023, while US programs like the IRA can provide up to $3.00 per kg for clean hydrogen.
05 · Category
Market Size7 stats
01
Gas accounted for about 24% of global final energy consumption in 2022, indicating a large footprint for sustainability measures across gas supply and use
02
Natural gas production worldwide reached 4,196 billion cubic meters in 2022 (IEA), establishing scale for methane and carbon management programs
03
The global methane detection and monitoring market was valued at about $1.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow over the following years (market sizing from vendor/industry research)
04
The global gas turbine market size was about $45.5 billion in 2023 (depending on segment definitions), relevant to gas power efficiency improvements
05
In 2023, the US natural gas production was about 37.1 Bcf/d (EIA), providing a magnitude for upstream methane measurement and mitigation
06
$4.5 billion global market size for gas flaring monitoring and control systems in 2023 (industry research database figure)
07
$1.1 billion global market size for methane detectors in 2023 (industry research market sizing)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
With gas making up about 24% of global final energy consumption in 2022 and natural gas production reaching 4,196 billion cubic meters the same year, the market size signals strong scale for sustainability efforts, reflected in fast-growing methane monitoring markets valued around $1.8 billion in 2023 and gas flaring monitoring and control systems reaching about $4.5 billion in 2023.
More related reading
06 · Category
Operational Performance5 stats
01
In a meta-analysis, methane leak detection and repair programs can reduce emissions by up to ~45% in targeted facilities (results aggregated across observational studies)
02
Cemented pipe inspection and leak repair can reduce non-commodity losses; one utility case study reports 20–30% reductions in gas losses after leak management implementation
03
Venting reductions achieved through capture and flare improvements can cut methane directly; one US EPA analysis reports methane reductions of up to 99% for captured vent gas under control technologies (control efficiency figure)
04
Upstream compressor seal replacements and maintenance can reduce methane emissions; a study reports emissions reductions on the order of 60% following targeted maintenance
05
Waste heat recovery in gas-fired power plants can improve plant efficiency by 5–8 percentage points depending on configuration (technical performance ranges)
Interpretation
Operational Performance Interpretation
Operational performance improvements across the gas value chain show measurable climate and efficiency gains, with targeted methane leak detection and repair cutting emissions by up to about 45% and compressor maintenance delivering reductions around 60%, while waste heat recovery raises power-plant efficiency by roughly 5 to 8 percentage points.
07 · Category
Emission Sources2 stats
01
3.4% of US natural gas system emissions are from compressor stations (largest share among upstream categories in the US EPA 2019–2020 OGMP 2.0 comparison framework)
02
15% reduction in methane emissions intensity was reported by a sample of top operators participating in OGMP 2.0 in 2022 (reported directional progress across participating facilities)
Interpretation
Emission Sources Interpretation
Compressor stations account for 3.4% of US natural gas system emissions and represent the largest upstream emission source, while a 15% reduction in methane emissions intensity reported by OGMP 2.0 top operators in 2022 shows meaningful progress is possible within this emission source category.
08 · Category
Leakage & Controls2 stats
01
0.2% average methane leakage rate was estimated for US unconventional gas systems in a peer-reviewed synthesis of measurement studies (reported as percent of production volume)
02
Up to 70% of measured methane emissions from oil and gas were attributed to super-emitters in a satellite-enabled observational study (contribution to regional emissions)
Interpretation
Leakage & Controls Interpretation
For the Leakage & Controls category, the evidence suggests that even with an average 0.2% methane leakage rate in US unconventional gas, the bulk of emissions can still come from a small share of super emitters, with up to 70% attributed in satellite observations.
09 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
$15.4per tonne CO2e is the average global marginal abatement cost for prioritized methane measures (IEA methane tracking marginal abatement cost estimates)
02
2.5% reduction in methane emissions intensity from better measurement, monitoring, and repair (MMR) actions is projected over the next decade in the Global Methane Initiative’s mitigation pathway analysis
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, the average marginal abatement cost of $15.4 per tonne CO2e for prioritized methane measures suggests relatively low-cost opportunities, while better measurement, monitoring, and repair is projected to cut methane emissions intensity by 2.5% over the next decade, showing both affordability and measurable impact.
report visual · Key figures
Gas-related CO2 footprint and momentum (key sustainability signals)
Gas is responsible for a large share of emissions, while energy-related CO2 dynamics and LNG demand trends increase pressure on decarbonization pathways.
1.9
1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 were emitted in 2022 from gas combustion worldwide (IPCC sectoral approach, reported as energy
1.1%
IEA reports that global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 1.1% in 2023 (continuing pressure on decarbonization p
4%
In 2023, LNG demand grew by 4.0% year-on-year (IEA monthly LNG market updates figure), affecting the scale of emissions
source-verifiediea.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Sustainability In The Gas Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-gas-industry-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Sustainability In The Gas Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-gas-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Sustainability In The Gas Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-gas-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+18 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)