The United Nations Environment Programme, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have published an assessment of the benefits for the climate and health: "The Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels".
Methane is a powerful climate pollutant that is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Fossil fuel operations are the second largest contributor to anthropogenic methane emissions, and the majority of these emissions can be abated with existing technology, often at low cost.
Even though the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario found that a huge scale-up in clean energy drove down fossil fuel use, and consequent lower methane emissions; this report finds that this is not sufficient to reduce methane emissions at the necessary pace and scale to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Additionally, this report highlights targeted actions needed to tackle methane emissions from fossil fuel production and use, to limit the risk of crossing irreversible climate tipping points and to create benefits for public health.
