More action is needed to control and reduce methane emissions across Europe and globally, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, in addition it is also a major contributor to ground-level ozone pollution, leading to poor air quality and harm to human health, ecosystems and agricultural production.
While methane emissions are decreasing in the EU, they are still responsible for 12% of all greenhouse gas emission in Europe, according to the EEA briefing ‘Methane, climate change and air quality in Europe’. The briefing gives an update on methane emissions and their impact on our climate, environment and on human health. It is intended to support future EU policy action on controlling and reducing methane at national, EU and international levels.
Impact of methane
Methane (CH4) is emitted from both human-made and natural sources. Agriculture, waste and energy sectors are the largest sources of human-made emissions, responsible for an estimated 60% of global emissions. Wetlands are the main natural source.
While methane emissions from Europe are reducing, global methane emissions and their contribution to global warming are increasing. Methane is a precursor for ground-level ozone (O3), which has a negative impact on air quality, health and ecosystems.
In Europe, around 37% of the background ozone level is related to global methane. As heat and sunlight also influence the generation of ground-level ozone, the impacts of climate change will also likely increase the risks related to ozone, particularly in southern parts of Europe.
Ground-level ozone harms human health and is linked to respiratory diseases and premature deaths. In the EU, it remains above levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), with 94% of the EU’s urban population exposed to harmful levels. Staying within WHO’s Air Quality Guideline values could potentially prevent 70,000 premature deaths annually in the EU.
Ground-level ozone also impacts ecosystems and agricultural production. It reduces growth rates and crop yields and is estimated to cause at least 2 billion euros in damage to food crops every year in Europe.
More information on EU action on methane
For more information on what the EU is doing to reduce methane emissions, please see:
- New EU Methane Regulation to reduce harmful emissions from fossil fuels in Europe and abroad
- EU steps up efforts to abate methane emissions with partners at COP29 — European Commission
- Methane emissions — European Commission