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Fossil Fuels
…in their normal operations. Major oil- and gas-producing countries can add commitments to reduce methane emissions to their nationally determined contributions. Government and industry should not delay action: the lack of a baseline should not preclude the introduction of abatement goals and policies to prevent methane leakage and flaring. Non-emergency flaring and venting should be prohibited, and fiscal or contractual terms should clarify responsibilities for ensuring the productive use of associated gases and their ownership. Many alternatives to flaring and venting are available to companies, including reinjection, on-site use and new market opportunities. Regulations need to address…
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Electricity Market Design
…how wholesale electricity markets and their complementary policy mechanisms are performing today. We find that short-term markets have continued to operate reliably and efficiently, translating real-time conditions into meaningful price signals even as system complexity grows. Medium- and long-term markets, however, face persistent gaps in liquidity and accessibility, which can make it harder for participants to manage risk and invest with confidence. Complementary mechanisms have become structural features of many systems, helping to support resource adequacy and decarbonisation objectives, but their effectiveness and cost efficiency depends on designs that work in concert with market signals.The analysis…
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Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane
…role in energy systems. Produced locally using organic waste, biogas and biomethane can contribute to energy security, waste management, emissions reductions and agricultural development.In recent years, demand for biomethane – also known as “renewable natural gas” – has grown rapidly in many countries, supported by dozens of new policies. As a low-emissions substitute for natural gas, the use of biomethane has been targeted across a wide range of sectors, including power, industry, transport and buildings. This report presents a first-of-its-kind global geographical analysis of the untapped potential of biogas and biomethane from agriculture, municipal waste and forestry…
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Gas Market Lessons from the 2022-2023 Energy Crisis Introduction
…flexibility and reserve options in the global gas and LNG market will be essential in better preparing for future gas supply shocks.Second, although the concurrent needs of the world’s two largest LNG import regions – Asia and Europe – led to zero-sum competition for LNG volumes at the peak of the 2022-2023 crisis, fostering co-operation and co-ordination among like-minded importers and responsible suppliers can help ease the detrimental effects of competitive pressure from future shocks. Working towards the relevant co-ordination mechanisms in a time of benign market conditions is essential in reducing uncertainty and…
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Global Methane Tracker 2026
…enhance energy security, and improve air quality. The energy sector – including oil, natural gas, coal and bioenergy – accounts for around 40% of methane emissions from human activity and has some of the best opportunities to cut these emissions. The annually updated Global Methane Tracker provides essential data on methane emissions across the energy sector and the opportunities to bring them down.The Tracker presents the IEA’s latest sector-wide emissions estimates – based on the most recent data from satellites and measurement campaigns – and discusses different abatement options along with their associated costs. This year's edition includes a chapter…
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Demand- and Supply-Side Measures for the Industry Transition
Policy brief As governments look to scale up lead markets for near-zero and low-emissions steel and cement, targeted policy measures can help overcome commercialisation barriers, capture emerging market opportunities and support broader government objectives. This policy brief explores a variety of possible policy instruments to stimulate demand and supply of such industrial materials, providing options that governments could adopt and adapt as part of their industrial policy framework – tailored to their unique circumstances to enhance effectiveness – along with practical next steps towards implementation.
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India Bioenergy Market Report
Outlook for liquid and gaseous biofuels to 2030 As demand for renewable energy grows in India, liquid and gaseous biofuels are expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets, driven by significant feedstock potential and supportive policies. These fuels can provide low-emission energy in heat, electricity and transport. They can also be produced domestically reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, improve energy security, and create economic development and employment opportunities.This report examines the current supply and demand of liquid and gaseous biofuels in India and their forecasted growth to 2030. It provides a detailed assessment of existing…
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Portugal 2026
Energy Policy Review Government action plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure and sustainable energy transitions. Energy policy is critical not just for the energy sector but also for meeting environmental, economic and social goals. Governments need to respond to their country’s specific needs, adapt to regional contexts and help address global challenges. In this context, the International Energy Agency (IEA) conducts Energy Policy Reviews to support governments in developing more impactful energy and climate policies.This Energy Policy Review was prepared in partnership between the Government of Portugal and the IEA. It draws on the IEA’s extensive…
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Advancing Methane Emissions Reductions by National Oil Companies
…Determined Contributions (NDCs).Implementing best practices. This includes adopting measures to limit flaring and venting, implementing leak detection and repair programmes, and deploying low-emissions equipment. Many of these mitigation options do not require measured emissions data or large investments. Flaring reductions by NOCs could make 60 billion cubic metres of natural gas available for domestic consumption or for export.Develop a methane monitoring, reporting, and verification system based on emissions measurements. This would enable a better assessment of abatement options and a credible way to track progress over time. It would also help meet market and regulatory requirements such…
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Gas Flaring
CO2 emissions
The volumes of natural gas flared in 2022 were around the same level as in 2010
Technology deployment
Oil producers have a range of readily available options to reduce and avoid flaring, with a number of new technologies also under development
Policy
A number of countries have introduced policies to reduce flaring
Investment
Operators that sell high-flaring assets are often passing on a problem to other operators that may be less willing, or less able, to cut down on flaring