Vision and Mission
The UN Environment Programme's International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) exists to provide open, reliable, and actionable data to the individuals with the agency to reduce methane emissions.
Curbing methane emissions is the fastest, most cost-effective action we can take to immediately slow climate change as we decarbonise and is essential to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach.
To seize this opportunity, the world needs credible data on where emissions are coming from, how they can be reduced, and how they're changing over time.
As a core implementer of the Global Methane Pledge, IMEO provides the data needed to deploy methane solutions at speed and scale and deliver on the goal of reducing methane emissions 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels.
To achieve its mission, IMEO's work is composed of several core pillars: transparency, science, and implementation.
Transparency
IMEO's work to provide accurate, unbiased, and up-to-date information on methane emissions – starting with the fossil fuel sector – is rooted in the need to shift from inaccurate estimates to real-world, empirical data.
This work is composed of the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0), which is UNEP's flagship oil and gas reporting and mitigation programme. It is the only comprehensive, measurement-based reporting framework for the sector and includes over 140 companies representing more than 40% of global oil and gas production.
Another key element of IMEO's transparency work is the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), which is the first global satellite detection and notification system providing actionable data on very large methane emissions around the world directly to governments and companies who can take action to address them.
Science
The goal of IMEO's scientific work is to close knowledge gaps in where emissions are coming from and how much methane is being emitted by conducting peer-reviewed studies around the world.
These methane science studies are commissioned by IMEO to provide strong, publicly available data and improved methods for measurement to allow governments, industry, and other stakeholder to prioritize effective actions to assess and reduce emissions of methane.
The programme extends across all methane-emitting sectors and includes studies across five continents. It also includes global studies that leverage methane-detecting satellites, which hold the potential to be a game changer for methane reduction, to integrate their data with ground-based measurements and increase operational understanding to enable action.
Implementation
The goal of IMEO's implementation work is to raise awareness and increase the capacity of governments to pursue science-based policy options to manage methane emissions.
This work includes capacity-building trainings to equip policymakers, regulators and national oil company (NOC) employees with the understanding needed to enact strategic methane mitigation actions using a robust methodology to measure and report methane emissions.
Further, IMEO engages in countries to work with relevant stakeholders on dedicated projects that connect methane data directly with strategies, activities, and priorities in a given country that can enable and accelerate methane progress.
Governance
IMEO engages a diverse range of stakeholders through a comprehensive governance structure composed of three key elements.
Implementation Committee
The Implementation Committee advises UNEP on the strategic direction of IMEO, its policy relevance, annual work plan, and budget.
Scientific Oversight Committee
The Scientific Oversight Committee guides and oversees IMEO's scientific activities, including, but not limited to, overseeing estimation methodologies, recommending necessary studies, and ensuring there are no significant data gaps across studies.
The Scientific Oversight Committee is composed of prominent methane scientists and complemented by data experts. Its Chair guides the evaluation, initiation, and coordination of proposals for direct measurement studies of methane emissions around the world to obtain policy-relevant science.
Advisory Council
International organisations, civil society, and industry representatives are engaged in IMEO's work through the Advisory Council, which provides the Implementation Committee with relevant information and insights.
IMEO invites organisations and companies working on issues related to methane transparency, science, and capacity building to join the Advisory Council to ensure synergies.
The Council is headed by the Chair of the IMEO Implementation Committee who can delegate this function to the Head of IMEO.
Donors
The work of UNEP's IMEO is supported by multiple donors including the European Commission, Germany, the United States and Canada, as well as philanthropies such as the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub.
