An increase in methane emissions from fossil fuels is cause for alarm – but with a glimmer of hope

That is how an International Energy Agency economist described the increase in methane emissions from oil, gas and coal. The energy sector emitted nearly five per cent more of this potent greenhouse gas in 2021 compared to 2020, when there was a lull due to the Covid pandemic. Emissions from fossil fuels - oil, coal and natural gas - were all higher last year compared to the year before, while levels from biofuel remained the same, according to the International Energy Agency analysis published on Wednesday. But while the energy sector still emitted 135 million tonnes of methane into the atmosphere last year, there is a glimmer of hope - somehow - in the fact it was not more. But while this points towards good news, it is far too early to celebrate while the energy sector - mainly fossil fuels - are still releasing more than 100 million tonnes of “harmful and unneccesary” emissions into the atmosphere.